Children's hospital 'will not be ready until 2012' Minister releases cash for next phase but it will be a 'logistical challenge'.

Byline: Madeleine Brindley

THE Children's Hospital for Wales will not be completed until at least 2012, the Echo has learned.

Final plans for the pounds 40m second phase of the hospital, which will include operating theatres, intensive care and outpatient departments, have yet to be submitted to and approved by the Welsh Assembly Government.

Health Minister Edwina Hart will today announce that pounds 4m of enabling work can begin on the site at the University Hospital of Wales, in Cardiff.

This includes rehousing existing children's services in temporary buildings and demolishing old departments on the site of the second phase.

But it is understood that the children's hospital is still three-and-a-half years away from completion.

The Echo also understands that only the strategic outline business case for the hospital has been approved by the Assembly Government, which is funding the development.

Although two more planning phases must be completed, sources have said it is unlikely that the plans will be rejected at this late stage.

The hospital - the first dedicated children's hospital in Wales - admitted its first patients in February 2005.

It was hoped work on the development's second phase would have started immediately.

Instead it has been beset by delays, caused by rows over funding - Cardiff Local Health Board decided two years ago that it couldn't afford its pounds 1m-a-year contribution to the hospital's running costs.

The funding row was eventually settled when Mrs Hart stepped in and said Health Commission Wales will bear the brunt of the running costs.

Lyn Jones, chairman of the Noah's Ark Appeal, which has raised millions to build and equip the hospital, said: "Building the Children's Hospital for Wales has been a long journey for us all - often it has felt like one step forward and two steps back. We are delighted to be working with Edwina Hart as it certainly seems as though progress is really being made.

"Phase two will be a great logistical challenge, services have to continue without disruption to patients and the old wards have to be demolished before the new build can begin. Today is the start of the completion of the hospital and that is something to celebrate."

Mrs Hart said: "I have made clear that I am committed to the development of the second phase of the children's hospital and have underlined this commitment by providing substantial support in the current financial year from within my capital budget.

"The trust tells me that the business case is progressing well and I expect to receive it shortly for consideration.

"I am pleased to visit the site of the proposed development to see the ongoing enabling work. This will ensure that major work on the development can start quickly once I have seen and approved the business cases."

CAPTION(S):

Artist's impression of the Children's Hospital for Wales which is not expected to be ready until at least 2012