Prince pays tribute to team as stadium hospital opens

FROM Wales’ premier rugby field to one of the UK’s premier field hospitals, the incredible transformation of the Principality Stadium in the face of the coronavirus pandemic was unveiled this week.

Ysbyty Calon Y Ddraig, the Dragon’s Heart Hospital, now sits in one of the nation’s most iconic buildings after its official opening.

In yet another visible reminder of the scale of the social change wrought by Covid-19, in a matter of a few short weeks it’s become the UK’s second largest field hospital, with the potential to hold 2,000 beds.

Medics hope that capacity will never be needed.

Prince Charles hailed the hospital as a “huge source of pride”.

Speaking from his Birkhall home in Scotland, in keeping with social distancing and travel rules, Prince Charles said in a pre-recorded video played at the ceremony: “That this amazing undertaking should have been completed in such a short time is, rightly, a huge source of pride.

“I simply want to add my voice to the tributes that have been paid to all those involved, from so many different walks of life, who have made this possible – the Welsh Government, the National Health Service trust, the planners, builders and technicians, the armed forces and, of course, the medical staff and volunteers who will be taking forward this hospital’s vital work. In a facility named, so evocatively and so appropriately, Calon Y Ddraig, what can I say except ‘diolch o galon,’ and express the warmest possible thanks for what you have done, and all that you will do in this hospital, and all those other field hospitals, across Wales, where buildings have been transformed as part of the immense effort to combat the dreadful threat we face.

“We hope and trust that the measures which have been taken, and the hardship that so many are enduring, will help hasten the day when the shadow of this disease will finally be lifted.

“Such commitment, of course, has come at a price. And as the days have gone by, we have become ever more painfully aware of those in our National Health and public services who have made the ultimate sacrifice in caring for others, giving their lives in the service of their fellow men and women, without thought of reward, and without regard for self.

“Words simply cannot express the gratitude and humility that such compassionate courage inspires in us all, and our hearts go out to all who have lost their loved ones in such a tragic way.”

Charles ended his speech with the words “Eu haberth nid â heibio”, Welsh for “their sacrifice shall not be forgotten”, and called on the public to support those on the NHS front line.

A stadium justly ranked as one of the finest rugby venues in the world is now almost unrecognisable inside.

Corridors once full of fans and stewards have been replaced with nurses’ stations and monitoring equipment.

Function rooms normally packed full of hospitality guests are now wards.

Coveted private boxes overlooking the pitch are full of hospital beds.

The temporary hospital has its first 330 beds ready to receive patients.

The hospital will care for patients who are coming to the end of their treatment for Covid-19 and require rehabilitation and support.

Facilities include mobile x-ray machines and CT scanners.

The stadium will double Cardiff and Vale University Health Board’s capacity, with patients being treated in large tent-like structures and the hospitality boxes.

Around 750 beds are on the pitch, with 250 on platforms around it, and there is on-site radiography, laboratories and a pharmacy.

Len Richards, chief executive of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, said: “We are planning on the basis of what we think we might need to ensure we are as ready as we can be,” he said. “I sincerely hope we don’t need to use all of the capacity but this facility will free up capacity at our other hospitals so that we can continue to provide services to patients with other health conditions.”