Seaside town's new hospital proposals unveiled - nine years after was supposed to open
But nine years after that projected opening date and the scheme for a new hospital alongside a revamp of the existing building has still not started. Planning was secured in 2020 but the Covid pandemic and subsequent spiralling inflation saw it stall.
Now a "paired-back" scheme has been put out to consultation by Betsi Cadwaladr health board ahead of a planning application being submitted.
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This would see a 14 bed hospital ward alongside a new Minor Injuries and Ailments Unit (MIAU), a dental facility, and new radiology unit.
A planning statement said: "Planning permission for a previous design scheme for a new community hospital building at the site was originally granted permission back in 2020. However , progression of the previous redevelopment scheme was hit by implications from the Covid pandemic, and in-turn significant increased development costs.
"Consequently, the original proposals were found to be unaffordable, and therefore the proposals have had to be rethought. In the interim period, BCUHB's development and project teams have been working hard to plan a development which will both meet the changing needs of our population and provide value for the public money being spent.
"The proposed new building would represent a significant investment for the Royal Alexandra Rhyl campus to complement the retained facilities. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now
"Through the updated proposals BCUHB are looking to build a valuable addition to the community services provided in Rhyl, which will help to safeguard the continued use of the Royal Alexandra site for years to come.
"Whilst the latest proposals have been paired-back from the previous proposals, the plans aim to incorporate as much of the previously proposed facilities as possible."
The development proposals presented are for a new three storey community hospital building. Ground and first floor levels will accommodate the new healthcare facilities, with the second floor limited to accommodating necessary mechanical plant to serve the building.
The statement added: "A separate programme of refurbishment and improvement works to the existing grade II listed main Royal Alexandra Hospital building are also planned to go ahead separately to the new building proposals. These refurbishment works will be the subject of a separate application in due course."
Leader of the Welsh Conservatives and Clwyd West MS Darren Millar said: "Twelve years ago, the people of North Denbighshire were promised this incredible new hospital which would relieve pressures on Ysbyty Glan Clwyd and greatly improve the patient experience.
'The project has been beset by delays since the estimated costs ballooned and people have been left wondering whether the promised new facility would ever materialise.
"Now, we have been insulted with massively scaled back plans, even though pressures at Glan Clwyd are worse than they were twelve years ago.
"This is totally unacceptable, and the Welsh Government must now deliver on its many pre-election promises. Anything less will be an insult to people in the locality.
"The Welsh Government has spent tens of millions on 20mph speed limits, unnecessary overseas offices, and tree planting in Africa, so money is no excuse for not giving us what we were promised.
'Given the dire state of health services here in North Wales, they should be looking at increasing the number of hospital beds, not slashing them."
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