Health chiefs urge public to attend alternative hospitals
ACCIDENT and Emergency services at the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend have been temporarily closed to emergency patients following a disruption to the hospital’s water supply.
Health bosses have advised patients not to attend the A&E department while the issue is being dealt with, and urged anyone requiring urgent treatment to seek care at alternative hospitals.
The disruption comes just over a year after the hospital was at the centre of a major incident when serious long-term damage was discovered to the building’s roof. Repairs were estimated to cost around £28 million, with funding provided by the Welsh Government.
The latest closure has sparked political reaction, with Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Minister for Health and Social Care Natasha Asghar MS describing the situation as “deeply concerning”.
“This is deeply concerning for patients and residents in the area, and I hope a swift resolution can be found, so that disruption is kept to a minimum and patient safety is prioritised,” she said.
Ms Asghar said the incident highlighted wider problems facing NHS infrastructure in Wales, pointing to an estimated maintenance backlog of around £1 billion.
“The NHS estate in Wales is already facing a significant maintenance backlog, estimated at around £1 billion, which underlines the need for urgent investment in critical hospital infrastructure. This should be a top priority for the incoming Plaid Government,” she added.
She also criticised proposals to redirect NHS funding elsewhere.
“Plaid’s plans to divert NHS funding to arts and sport isn’t going to fix the issue,” she said.
Ms Asghar said the Welsh Conservatives had repeatedly called for a new “21st Century Hospitals Fund” aimed at modernising NHS buildings and supporting the construction of new and upgraded hospitals and primary care facilities.
No timescale has yet been given for when the A&E department will reopen to emergency patients.
