Work is nearing completion at one of north Wales’ new temporary hospitals as the Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board ramps up provision to cope with the coronavirus pandemic.
Known as Ysbyty Enfys, one of the three sites is based at Canolfan Brailsford in Bangor which, thanks to a partnership with the university, will provide 250 beds for patients with Covid-19 symptoms.
Venue Cymru in Llandudno, meanwhile, will offer 350 beds with another 250 provided at Deeside Leisure Centre in Flintshire.
It is hoped that Canolfan Brailsford will accept its first patients in May, having been converted from housing Bangor University’s sports and leisure facilities.
The revamped facility has been designed for patients no longer needing ventilator access or more intense treatment at Ysbyty Gwynedd, but still requiring some day to day care.
Work started in early April, and the adaptations have involved the installation of separate systems to provide heat, necessary gases and water via pipes to the temporary wards.
When the hospital is no longer needed, the facility will revert back to its original use as a sports hall.
Announcing the development of Ysbyty Enfys, health board chairman Mark Polin said such temporary hospitals were central to plans to achieve the additional necessary capacity.
“I really appreciate the support we’ve received from Bangor University to help with this second site, as well as our colleagues at Gwynedd Council and Anglesey County Council,” he said.
“Our partners across North Wales are playing a crucial role in our efforts to increase capacity and make sure we’re ready for an increase in patients affected by COVID-19.”
Professor Iwan Davies, Bangor University’s Vice-Chancellor, said: “These are unprecedented times, and the university has been responding in a number of different ways to support the front line as they deal with the crisis.
“We are pleased that we can be of further help by making Canolfan Brailsford available as a temporary hospital for the local community.”
In a separate development in the city, the health board has unveiled a new assessment tent outside Ysbyty Gwynedd’s emergency department.
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Installed thanks to support from the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, it will be there as a precaution to cope with any major rise in the number of people presenting at the hospital with symptoms of COVID-19.
A spokesperson for the health board said: “This area would be used to screen patients, and based on the results they could either be admitted to hospital, redirected to alternative services, or directed home to monitor their symptoms in isolation.
“Staff are currently taking part in training exercises to familiarise themselves with the facility.
“Similar preparations are being carried out across all our main hospital sites.”
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