A £30 million plan to transform the outdated Cardiff Royal Infirmary into a modern healthcare complex over four years has begun, health minister Edwina Hart has announced.
Welsh Assembly Government funding has been earmarked to replace the city centre hospital site, with the local NHS now developing detailed site plans for the minister’s approval.
A report prepared by Dr Stephen Hunter and commissioned by the Assembly Government recommended a phased development of services to include primary care, unscheduled care, community mental health, substance misuse, outpatients and diagnostics.
£3.3 million of funding has been released for the first phase of the redevelopment, which includes the demolition of unused, outdated buildings and the installation of a new heating system.
Mrs Hart said that, once completed, the new facilities will improve access to healthcare for people in the south and east of Cardiff and help to relieve pressure on the University Hospital of Wales.
She said: “I am pleased to see the demolition of the outdated and unused buildings getting under way.”
Due to its historical status, the site redevelopment 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.
