Vaughan Gething, Minister for Health and Social Services
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
Members will wish to be aware that the Grange University Hospital will officially open in mid-November instead of the original planned date in March 2021.
The new facility based in Cwmbran, which has received over £360m Welsh Government funding, will provide emergency and urgent care and brings together services previously provided at the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport and Nevill Hall Hospital in Abergavenny.
Parts of the hospital were made available to the NHS early as a field hospital to assist with the Coronavirus pandemic.
The 60-acre site will have a 471-bed capacity and feature a 24-hour specialist assessment facility, intensive care facilities, and comprehensive diagnostic facilities, inpatient beds for major emergencies and complex surgery, and theatres.
A consolidated list of services will remain at the Royal Gwent and Nevill Hall Hospitals with inpatient and outpatient care including diagnostic tests, therapies, minor injuries treatment, and midwifery-led birthing services. The aim is that these will join Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr, Ysbyty Aneurin Bevan, Chepstow and County Hospitals to provide a network of hospitals able to provide the majority of care for their local communities.
Alongside the Grange University Hospital providing state of the art facilities, the build of the hospital has helped to create over 600 jobs during its construction. The hospital will employ over 3,000 people when it opens, with circa 600 on shift at any one time.
This statement is being issued during recess in order to keep members informed. Should members wish me to make a further statement or to answer questions on this when the Senedd returns I would be happy to do so.