Health Secretary Vaughan Gething announces £3.15m to help transform Wards 9 and 10 at Withybush Hospital

Today’s announcement will allow improvements to be made to haematology, oncology and palliative care services.

The money will see Ward 9 – the former children’s ward – developed as a ‘decant facility’, with 14 beds and a day room.

Once patients are in place on Ward 9, a full refurbishment of Ward 10 can take place, enabling it to be “modernised to improve safety, clinical quality and provide a better environment for patients and staff”.

Said Mr Gething today (April 12): “I am very happy to able to announce the £3.15m funding to complete the improvements to Wards 9 and 10 at Withybush Hospital.

"This project will transform these services at the hospital to provide a modern fit-for-purpose environment for staff, patients and their families.”

Health Secretary Vaughan Gething at Withybush Hospital today. PICTURE: Western Telegraph

Hywel Dda University Health Board chairman Bernardine Rees said: "This is fantastic news for Pembrokeshire.

“I wish to pay tribute to our staff, fundraisers and partners, for their part in reaching this milestone in the project, particularly Elly’s Ward 10 Flag Appeal.

"We look forward to moving forward at pace now to make these improvements for our local population."

Lyn Neville, Elly’s father, welcomed the news, calling it “another step towards providing excellent cancer services for Pembrokeshire”.

“On a personal note after many years of campaigning for Ward 10 I am also very pleased that, as seen with the new Pembrokeshire Haematology & Oncology Day Unit (PHODU), patients and staff will be able to receive and deliver care in excellent new facilities,” he said.

Hywel Dda chief executive Steve Moore with Elly Neville at Withybush Hospital. PICTURE: Western Telegraph

Work is expected to start shortly and be completed by the summer of 2019.