Shortlist of sites for new hospital
HYWEL Dda University Health Board (UHB) has carried out a review of potential sites to draw up a shortlist of locations for a new hospital in West Wales.
Eleven sites have been assessed as potential locations for the new hospital, including those identified by members of the public during another six-week engagement exercise, which took place earlier this year.
Plans to massively overhaul healthcare in the region by building a new multi-million-pound hospital to the west of Carmarthen are “progressing” – three years after a public consultation.
Following the initial consultation in summer 2018, Hywel Dda UHB decided to vote in favour of a plan that would see the development of a new hospital between St Clears in Carmarthenshire and Narberth in Pembrokeshire.
In September, the health board confirmed there were no plans to close either Carmarthen’s Glangwili or Haverfordwest’s
Withybush hospitals. It also stated that Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli would remain open, with a specific role. This latest stage of the process is intended to lead to the creation of a shortlist of sites. However, they are being kept under wraps by health chiefs at the moment. This will be subject to further detailed appraisal with significant public and wider stakeholder involvement. The final decision about the chosen site will be made by the health board, in agreement with the Welsh Government. Steve Moore, chief executive of Hywel Dda UHB, said: “The building of a new hospital is a major long-term project, which is why we place great emphasis on being open and transparent about the process involved. “The process we are following includes developing a programme business case to support our strategy for community and hospitalbased health and care.
“As part of the process to apply for funding from the Welsh Government, we will submit the programme business case, and then individual outline business cases, then the final business cases for the new infrastructure we will need.
“The health board will therefore engage with the public on a regular basis between now and the submission of the final business cases to ensure your views are fully considered.
“I understand and recognise there are passionate feelings about a new hospital, but we strongly believe a new facility is essential for urgent and planned care in the south of the Hywel Dda area.
“It will provide trauma care and be the main emergency department for the south of our area.
“I can also reassure the public that we have no plans or intention to close either Glangwili or Withybush hospitals.
“We will engage further on how these hospitals could work alongside the proposed new hospital.”
The building of a new hospital is a major longterm project, which is why we place great emphasis on being open and transparent about the process involved Steve Moore, chief executive of Hywel Dda UHB