£166m field seen action
a surge in capacity be required.
“This is in line with normal NHS operational bed occupancy plans, to ensure efficiency of services and workforce, particularly with the onset of winter planning already initiated.
“We are following the modelling and trajectory of the virus to ensure that, should we see a further spike, we will be able to respond quickly and seamlessly to support patients and their families, providing them with the care and treatment required in tackling but also recovering from the virus.
“The bottom line is that we were and are prepared and that should provide reassurance to our communities.”
■ Swansea Bay UHB
At present there are two field hospitals in Swansea Bay UHB, at Llandarcy Academy of Sport and Swansea Bay Studios.
Its chief operating officer, director of therapies and health sciences, and deputy CEO, Chris White, said: “We are fortunate that we have not yet needed to use either of our field hospitals.
“The excellent response by the public to social distancing measures means we have been able to care for Covid-19 patients within the additional capacity we have built into our main hospitals.
“However, the virus is still here and we do not know what the future will bring, so having the field hospitals ready in case we need them is very important.
“Flexibility is an important factor in the management of the situation as we move into the next stages, and Welsh Government is carrying out a national review of the position which will support this work.”
■ Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB
This week it was announced that the 290-bed hospital at the WRU’s Centre of Excellence at the Vale Resort, Hensol, was being decommissioned.
The only remaining field hospital in the region is the one based at Bridgend Industrial Estate.
A spokeswoman for the health board said: “No patients have been treated in our field hospitals to date.
“This is because our teams within our district general hospitals have worked really hard to build extra capacity and have managed to cope with demand.
“We have moved our field hospital from the Vale to Bridgend and this facility can also be used for patient rehabilitation.
“Field hospitals are essential for our planning and we are grateful for all the support of our partners in developing them to ensure additional capacity is in place should we need in as we continue to respond to the challenge of Covid.”
■ Aneurin Bevan UHB
The new Grange University Hospital, which is due to open its doors near Cwmbran in early 2021, had 300 beds which were made available early by the contractors.
But a spokesman for the health board confirmed that they didn’t need to be used, with all Covid-19 patients being cared for in its existing hospitals.
“The beds at the new hospital remain ready for use should we need them in the case of a second spike,” he said.