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£30m for hospital redevelopment £30m for hospital redevelopment
(about 10 hours later)
More than £30m of assembly government funding has been earmarked for the redevelopment of a Cardiff hospital, Health Minister Edwina Hart has said.More than £30m of assembly government funding has been earmarked for the redevelopment of a Cardiff hospital, Health Minister Edwina Hart has said.
Subject to planning approval, work on the Cardiff Royal Infirmary (CRI) will begin in the next few months and is expected to take three to four years.Subject to planning approval, work on the Cardiff Royal Infirmary (CRI) will begin in the next few months and is expected to take three to four years.
The future of the CRI had been uncertain since it closed as a district general hospital 10 years ago.The future of the CRI had been uncertain since it closed as a district general hospital 10 years ago.
Ms Hart says she wants to develop in-patient services at the site.Ms Hart says she wants to develop in-patient services at the site.
It is hoped a fully-functioning CRI will improve access to healthcare for the people in the south and east of Cardiff and help relieve pressure on the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff.It is hoped a fully-functioning CRI will improve access to healthcare for the people in the south and east of Cardiff and help relieve pressure on the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff.
An assembly government-commissioned report, prepared by Dr Stephen Hunter, recommends a phased development of services which will include primary care, unscheduled care, community mental health, substance misuse, outpatients and diagnostics.An assembly government-commissioned report, prepared by Dr Stephen Hunter, recommends a phased development of services which will include primary care, unscheduled care, community mental health, substance misuse, outpatients and diagnostics.
I am pleased that this site will now be used to its full potential Health Minister Edwina HartI am pleased that this site will now be used to its full potential Health Minister Edwina Hart
Further work will be required by Cardiff Local Health Board and Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust to explore opportunities for in-patients within the resources available.Further work will be required by Cardiff Local Health Board and Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust to explore opportunities for in-patients within the resources available.
Initially, £3m of funding from the assembly government will be invested in preparing for the developments, including demolishing the unused, outdated buildings and installing a new heating system.Initially, £3m of funding from the assembly government will be invested in preparing for the developments, including demolishing the unused, outdated buildings and installing a new heating system.
Mrs Hart said: "Cardiff Royal Infirmary, with its location within the city, is well-placed to provide a range of services for local people.Mrs Hart said: "Cardiff Royal Infirmary, with its location within the city, is well-placed to provide a range of services for local people.
"I am pleased that this site will now be used to its full potential. This initial work will pave the way for better healthcare services."I am pleased that this site will now be used to its full potential. This initial work will pave the way for better healthcare services.
"Because of its historical status, the redevelopment of the site is being planned in collaboration with Cardiff council and Cadw in order to preserve the special architectural interest associated with some parts of the site.""Because of its historical status, the redevelopment of the site is being planned in collaboration with Cardiff council and Cadw in order to preserve the special architectural interest associated with some parts of the site."
Grade II statusGrade II status
The CRI, which was built in 1884 and is listed as having Grade II status, closed as a district general hospital in 1999.The CRI, which was built in 1884 and is listed as having Grade II status, closed as a district general hospital in 1999.
Campaigners battled against plans to close the remaining facilities in 2002. Those proposals were abandoned but the future of the site remained uncertain.Campaigners battled against plans to close the remaining facilities in 2002. Those proposals were abandoned but the future of the site remained uncertain.
The current site houses out-patient facilities including physiotherapy and genito-urinary medicine.The current site houses out-patient facilities including physiotherapy and genito-urinary medicine.
Siân Richards, chief executive of Cardiff Local Health Board (LHB) said: "Cardiff Royal Infirmary will be a flagship for the development of new ways of caring for people in the community that will see patients treated as close to home as possible.
"In the coming years patients will see a real difference in the quality and timeliness of the care they receive, in a building that will be familiar yet fit for the delivery of 21st Century health care."
She said the LHB is working closely with Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust to develop its final proposals for the CRI which will be considered by the LHB board on 29 April.
Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust also welcomed the minister's announcement.