Royal Alexandra Hospital Development
23.12.2026
Royal Alexandra expansion to transform healthcare in Rhyl
The historic Royal Alexandra hospital is to be transformed by a major £33m investment by Welsh Government that will improve NHS services for people living in Rhyl.
The new purpose-built facility will include a minor injuries unit capable of treating more than 20,000 people a year and will ease pressure Ysbyty Glan Clwyd's emergency department, nearby.
A 14-bed ready-to-go-home reablement unit will also be part of the new building. It will bring together NHS and social care teams to provide care for people returning home after medical and surgical treatment in hospital.
Radiology services will be expanded in Rhyl and four new dental suites will improve access to NHS care. There will also be an increase in training opportunities for dental nurses.
The £33m new build, which is due to be completed in 2027, is the first phase of a £60m investment in the Royal Alexandra Hospital. A business case for phase two to redevelop and improve the existing hospital will be submitted separately by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. The First Minister and Health Secretary confirmed funding for the new development, ahead of the Welsh Government’s Cabinet meeting in Wrexham later today (23rd February).
First Minister Eluned Morgan said:
“This long-term investment in health services in Rhyl will cut the amount of time people wait in emergency department, increase the number of inpatients and result in people being able to return home faster after treatment in hospital.
“This investment is part of the Welsh Government’s action to transform healthcare in North Wales, modernising facilities and working smarter so people can be treated closer to home.”
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Jeremy Miles, added:
“I’m really pleased to confirm this funding for the redevelopment of the Royal Alex. Rhyl is a popular holiday destination, which means NHS services work hard to meet the needs of local residents and visitors all year round.
"This funding will provide a fantastic new minor injuries and ailments unit and a new reablement unit, bringing health and social care together under one roof, helping people recover and feel supported so they can get back home.”
In a joint statement, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board Chair Dyfed Edwards and CEO Carol Shillabeer said:
“We are delighted to have received the approval of our business case from Welsh Government. This means we can now progress with the preparatory work and construction of this important new facility.
“It will not only benefit our community in Rhyl and the surrounding areas, but also provide services that will relieve some of the pressures on Ysbyty Glan Clwyd. We would like to acknowledge the support and partnership of Denbighshire County Council and other partners in the third sector, together with the overwhelming support we saw from local people in our consultations.
“This new building will be a focus for the community and signals our commitment to bringing services closer to where people live in North Wales.”
Leader of Denbighshire County Council, Jason McLellan, said:
“This significant investment in the Royal Alexandra Hospital marks a major step forward for health and social care in Denbighshire. This modern health and wellbeing hub includes reablement beds and a minor injuries unit, which will improve the healthcare provision for the people of Rhyl and surrounding areas.
“I would like to thank Welsh Government and our partners for their collaboration in bringing the project to this stage. This is an important development for local residents and shows what can be achieved when partners work together to deliver sustainable health and social care for our communities.”
24.12.2025
Planning approval for Royal Alexandra Hospital development
Planning consent has been granted for the amended new-build phase of the Royal Alexandra Hospital Development in Rhyl. The final step in the process is the determination of the full business case by Welsh Government.
Stuart Keen, BCUHB’s director of environment and estates, said: “We are delighted to have been granted planning permission for the new-build element of the Royal Alexandra Hospital development in Rhyl. Should funding be approved by Welsh Government, we would hope to begin construction in 2026.
“This is great news for the people of Rhyl and its surrounding areas. We are one step closer to providing a valuable improvement to local health care, which will benefit the local population and help to reduce pressures on Glan Clwyd Hospital.”
Latest Proposals
Before submitting our planning application to Denbighshire County Council, we want to hear your views on the new draft design proposals. Following this four-week consultation period, a new planning application will be submitted.
The new building being proposed represents a significant investment into the Royal Alexandra Hospital site. It would provide new, modern facilities serving the people of Rhyl and its surrounding areas.
According to our draft plans, the new hospital building would be placed on the southern part of the hospital site. This is adjacent to Russell Road and currently used as a car park. The main vehicle entrance into the site would remain on Alexandra Road.
The new building would provide:
- A new bedded facility;
- A new Minor Injuries and Ailments Unit (MIAU);
- A new dental unit;
- Provision for other support services within the building and
- Improved modern facilities for patients, their families and staff.
As well as seeking planning permission, we are developing a full business case to justify the costs involved and show how we would pay for goods and services. This will need to be approved by a meeting of the Health Board. It will also require Welsh Government funding approval. If all approvals are granted, we hope to start building in the first quarter of 2026.
A programme of refurbishment and improvement works to the existing main Royal Alexandra Hospital building are also planned to go ahead, separately to these new building proposals.
Get in Contact
In advance of submitting our plans to Denbighshire County Council, we want you to share your views on these revised plans with us.
You can read the draft documents by using the links below:
In the interest of Accessibility - if you require these documents in alternative formats, please contact: consultationpagesuk@tetratech.com
Notices
Drawings and design Information
Other Supporting Documents
If you would like to comment on the proposals you can do so online, by completing the survey below:
The closing date for responses is September 12, 2025.
Alternatively, comments can be provided by emailing the project team at: consultationpagesuk@tetratech.com
If you have any specific requirements with respect to providing comments or viewing the consultation material, please contact the project team on the email address above.