MORE than 200 people have shared their views as part of a consultation as plans for a new £40million community hospital in Rhyl gather pace.

An application for the North Denbighshire Community Hospital, to be built next to the Royal Alexandra Hospital on East Parade, will soon be submitted to Denbighshire County Council.

The new build, described as a health and well-being campus, aims to bring essential care services ‘closer to home'. The three-storey clinical facility will include services for treating minor injuries and ailments, an intravenous therapies suite, inpatient beds, an older persons mental health that will work closely with older person physical teams as well as a café.

Rhyl Journal:

Artist impression of North Denbighshire Community Hospital

The Royal Alexandra Hospital will also be refurbished.

Gareth Evans, project director for the North Denbighshire Community Hospital, said: “Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the health board has continued to work with our partners on the development of the new hospital.

“This week we completed a survey asking people for their views on the development.

"More than 200 people shared their opinions with us, which we will now use to help us continue to shape the development of the new hospital."

Dr James Davies, MP for Vale of Clwyd, is 'strongly' in support of the plans but voiced concern at the slow progress of the development in relation to the history of the project.

The GP said: "It is quite clear that Ysbyty Glan Clwyd is struggling to cope with current demand – from the Emergency Department and inpatient bed numbers, through to car parking spaces. New community hospital facilities can relieve some of this pressure.

“I welcome the fact that the plans for Rhyl include a minor injury unit, inpatient beds and outpatient services. Nevertheless, it is regrettable that progress on this matter has been so slow, particularly in view of the loss of other community hospital facilities locally in recent years.

“The Royal Alexandra Hospital site is more accessible than Ysbyty Glan Clwyd for a large cohort of residents along the coast, including the elderly and those living in deprived communities. I therefore favour the intention to develop the facilities at this location.

“The Royal Alexandra Hospital also forms a key element of Rhyl’s history. At the time I was born, it was still the area’s district general hospital, where my father was working, until the new Ysbyty Glan Clwyd was opened just a few months later. For my family and many others, the hospital holds many memories and I believe the new and modernised facility should retain its current name.

“The original hospital building is Grade II listed and nearly 120 years old. While already a key feature along Rhyl Promenade, it has the potential, following sympathetic renovation, to significantly contribute towards the portrayal of a resurgent town.

“I approve of the indicative new-build façade, interior design and landscaping concepts as set out within the documentation. These suggest a quality development and I am pleased to see consideration has already been made to ensure the design takes into account those living with dementia.

“I have been contacted by local residents neighbouring the site and I would be grateful if BCUHB could take on board their comments and address these as far as possible.

"Their concerns relate to the demolition and construction phase and also to the impact of the siting of two wind turbines; parking facilities; increased traffic; noise and other matters."

Mr Evans added: "We welcome Dr Davies’ comments and will be taking into account all feedback we have received as part of the ongoing development of the project.”