The development of Phase Two of the Children’s Hospital for Wales received a major boost today (1st July) with a visit from First Minister Carwyn Jones, who announced funding worth £6.7million and the approval of the latest set of plans.

Work on Phase Two has already begun and the Noah’s Ark Appeal has been tasked with raising a further £7million, funding vital projects including;

An ‘open’ MRI Scanner. This has no sides and a parent can lie by their child during the scan. It will have a screen, colours and music to distract the child and minimise distress. The Children’s Hospital for Wales will be the first in the UK to have such a scanner and only the second in Europe. This alone will cost £1.5m

The Noah’s Ark Appeal will replace the equipment in the new critical care unit that will combine intensive and high dependency care. This specialist equipment is expensive but it is vital that this unit has the most advanced technology available.

Today’s announcement finances the ongoing demolition works to make way for the development whilst the final plans are submitted for the Welsh Assembly Government’s approval by the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.

Phase One of the Children’s Hospital for Wales was opened in 2005 with the Noah’s Ark Appeal raising over £8million and Mr Jones today had the opportunity to see for himself how the Phase One has benefited the patients and their families.

Lyn Jones, Chairman of the Noah’s Ark Appeal said “Phase One of the Children’s Hospital for Wales has made a tremendous difference to the young patients who need specialist treatment. It is a world class facility of which the people of Wales can feel proud.

“Since the opening of Phase Once, The Noah’s Ark Appeal has continued to give significant support to the Children’s Hospital for Wales, the children’s wards and the teenage cancer unit and our work continues as we will raise a further £7million to fund vital projects in phase two such as an open MRI scanner and the equipment for a brand new critical care unit to treat children in need of high dependency and intensive care.”