Hospital could open four months earlier than planned

BRIDGEND council leaders are planning a phased recovery from Covid-19 which is expected to last between 12 to 18 months.

Among the council’s plans for the borough’s recovery include a review of its budget for 2020-21, support for local businesses and preparations for a possible second wave of the virus.

A report made to the cabinet of Bridgend County Borough Council by chief executive Mark Shephard outlined the council’s recovery plan from the Covid-19 pandemic.

High on the council’s agenda is the financial recovery of local businesses.

A taskforce led by council leader Huw David will be put in place to assess the economic impact of Covid19 on the local economy and a ringfenced budget will be given to support it.

“We know that many businesses will struggle in Bridgend and they will be struggling right across the country,” said Cllr David.

“We want to give our high street traders a chance.”

To encourage residents to shop locally, the council waived parking

ANEURIN Bevan University Health Board has decided it will seek approval from the Welsh Government for the early opening of its new super hospital later this year.

The new hospital in Cwmbran could open its doors in November, four months ahead of the current scheduled opening date of March 2021.

The decision was supported by the health board and will now be presented to the Welsh Government for approval.

A spokesperson for Aneurin Bevan health board said that there is currently no known timeframe for when this decision may be taken.

Much of the hospital site is currently in the hands of supply chain partner, Laing O’Rourke, but was handed a “significant proportion” of the building in April and May as part of the health board’s response to the Covid19 pandemic and predicted first peak.

The health board was handed sections of the Grange University Hospital, including inpatient wards and children’s assessment unit, to enable additional capacity of acute care beds if required to meet high demand.

The proposal could see the hospital open as a “specialist and critical care centre” as early as November.

A spokesman for Aneurin Bevan University Health Board said: “Today the health board supported a proposal for the early opening of The Grange University Hospital for November 2020 as part of our operational planning process and winter preparations during the Covid-19 pandemic.