OXYGEN tanks outside Llandudno's Ysbyty Enfys will be emptied as part of the temporary hospital’s planned decommissioning,

This will happened on Tuesday, May 11.

Venue Cymru was transformed into Ysbyty Enfys to treat Covid-19 patients.

Due to the low rates of Covid-19 in North Wales, the facility and oxygen system are no longer required.

A spokesperson from Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board said: "For safety reasons, the leased oxygen tanks cannot be transported away from the site with oxygen inside.

Ysbyty Enfys. Picture: Paul Sampson

Ysbyty Enfys. Picture: Paul Sampson

"This standard process of depressurisation may be noisy and, depending on the weather conditions, can take up to a few hours. An oxygen cloud will be visible from a distance, however we wanted to reassure the public that this is a controlled and safe procedure undertaken by the equipment owners.

"North Wales Fire and Rescue Service are aware of this planned activity, therefore there is no need for this to be reported to them.

"The site will be secured while this process takes place."

Venue Cymru along with Deeside Leisure Centre and Bangor University were handed over to Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) in April 2020 to provide a combined 1,000 additional beds. This was in response to the pandemic.

Earlier this year, Mark Wilkinson, executive director of Planning and Performance, said: “Our three Rainbow Hospitals were established at the beginning of the pandemic to ensure that we were able to respond to the worst case scenario of our existing hospitals becoming overwhelmed with Covid-19 patients. All three hospitals have since been utilised as Covid-19 Mass Vaccination Centres, but we have only needed to provide inpatient care at Ysbyty Enfys Deeside."

The Mass Vaccination Centres at Ysbyty Enfys Deeside and Ysbyty Enfys Llandudno will be handed back by July 31.

A gradual decommission of Ysbyty Enfys Bangor started in April and will be completed by September.

Mr Wilkinson added: “We have plans in place to continue to provide vaccination through our network of Local Vaccination Centres (LVCs) after these dates, and I want to provide an assurance that the speed and safety of the COVID-19 vaccination rollout will not be compromised.

“We remain extremely grateful for the incredible support of our partners at Flintshire County Council, Conwy County Borough Council and Bangor University.

"I would also like to say a special thank you to our wonderful staff, who have worked diligently to provide high quality, safe care to patients throughout this challenging period."