The £19.3million Assembly Government-funded hospital will serve north Meirionnydd and east Dwyfor and replace Bron y Garth Hospital at Penrhyndeudraeth and Porthmadog Health Clinic.

The new hospital will include:

• 30-bed inpatient beds. There are 10 single en-suite rooms and five four-bed single sex bays with integral bathroom for care of the elderly and GP referrals;
• a Minor Injuries Unit providing a 24 hour service co-located with GP out-of-hours service;
• an Outpatient Department and Day Investigation Unit providing consultant, nurse-led and other health professionals’ clinics;
• a Rehabilitation and Therapy Services including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, podiatry and speech and language therapy providing  inpatient and out-patients care;
• a Children’s Service providing treatment facilities, including a sensory room, for the local multi-agency community team;
• a Mental Health Department including the base for the community team; and,
• an X-ray Department providing diagnostic services to in-patients, out-patients, and minor injuries patients, using digital technology.

The hospital opening is part of a series of 24 special events to mark the half-way point of the Welsh Assembly Government’s One Wales programme.

Mrs Hart said:

“Our aim is to provide as many services as close to people’s homes as possible.

“This new hospital will improve access to healthcare services locally for patients reducing the need for them to travel and reduce pressure on larger neighbouring hospitals.

“By bringing a range of services under one roof from primary care to inpatient, outpatient, minor injuries and GPs’ out-of-hours services, patients will receive better care with a better use of staff and equipment. This will be a significant improvement on the previous outdated facilities.”

At the opening, the Minister will also present a prize to Chabala Hall from Ysgol Caetop, Bangor who designed the winning ‘healthy heart’ poster as part of the British Heart Foundation ‘Go Red’ healthy heart month. Children from two local schools – Ysgol Caetop, Bangor and Ysgol Glanadda, Bangor – were invited to design posters which have been displayed at Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor for members of the public to judge.

Mrs Hart added:

“It is important to raise awareness of the need for a healthy diet and lifestyle from a young age so that people develop good habits they can take into adulthood. I am very impressed with the posters and to see how keen the children were in getting involved with this project.”

The Minister announced last week that Ysbyty Alltwen will be the home to a new satellite renal dialysis unit.

The North Wales Renal Network, which is made up of health professionals and patient groups, selected Ysbyty Alltwen as the preferred location for the new dialysis unit following consultation with Community Health Councils and representatives of the local hospitals and communities. The renal network will now develop the business plans for the new unit.

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