Turning the Dream into Reality

A ceremonial turning of the first turf to begin the construction of Phase One of the Children's Hospital for Wales was performed on April 2nd 2003, by Jane Hutt, Minister for Health and Social Services, and Lyn Jones, Chairman of Trustees of the Noah's Ark Appeal.

The start on the site has been made possible as a result of the fantastic fundraising efforts by individuals, companies and groups from all across Wales, who have given their support to the Noah's Ark Appeal.

A group of local school children from Rhydypenau Infant School Choir sang at the ceremonial turning of the turf. Other guests included representatives of Tesco and GlaxoSmithKine, both major contributors to the Noah's Ark Appeal. The guests were welcomed by the Chairman of Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust, Simon Jones. Other speakers included Dr Emrys Evans CBE, who is a trustee of the Appeal.

Phase one of the children's hospital will be the first new build clinical development on the Heath Park campus since the hospital was opened in 1971. The successful contractor for the scheme – Laing Construction – was announced in January this year after extensive public participation to choose the winning design. Building work on phase one of the children's hospital will be completed in December 2004.

Chairman of the Noah's Ark Appeal, G Stanley Thomas said, "This is a very proud moment for us and the realisation of a dream that began more than twelve years ago. During that time we have seen more than one reorganisation of local government and the advent of the National Assembly Government and these many changes did not made our task any easier."

"But at last it has all come together and it is heart-warming to know that people and organisations across Wales have so enthusiastically endorsed our decision to launch the Noah's Ark Appeal in the spring of 2000. We have had the support of many celebrities – from Ian Botham and his crew in particular, and of course from our Patrons, Charlotte and Catherine. I also pay tribute to the hard work of the trustees and staff at the Noah's Ark Appeal."

"And I am delighted to see representatives here today from GlaxoSmithKline and Tesco – the two organisations which have funded a ward in the new hospital and whose names on those wards will bear testament to their generosity."

" We have always had maximum support from the Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust, from all the local authorities across Wales and from Jane Hutt, our Minister of Health and Social Services and the National Assembly Government. This too has been an enormous help."

"But we are not finished. We have now been asked to raise a further £1.5million to fully equip the new hospital. We simply must be in a position to supply state of the art equipment and facilities for the new wards. And if anybody is listening there is still a third ward to be funded."

" And then, of course, there is phase two. We know now that it will cost between £15 and £20 million to provide surgical facilities to complement the present medical block with up to six new operating theatres and, an intensive care unit and children's surgical wards.

"But that is for the future. For the moment we can celebrate in the knowledge that the first phase of the Children's Hospital for Wales is now under construction and will be completed by the end of next year. Thank you".

Dr Mark Drayton, Associate Medical Director at Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust, said: "The start on site marks the start of a project which is important for the health and welfare of the children of Wales, including nearly 15,000 annually who come to us from outside the Cardiff area."

"Children and their families deserve the best of environments in which to receive care and we are delighted with this design for phase one of the development, which is particularly child-friendly and welcoming."

David Edwards, Chief Executive of Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust, said: "We are delighted to see the start on site of this project. Phase one will bring children's cancer services to the new site and so improve access for these children to other specialist children's services including paediatric intensive care and paediatric surgery. It will also provide modern wards for children under the care of paediatric medical specialists and provide much better accommodation for parents to stay on the wards with their children."

"The next phase will provide dedicated children's operating theatres and associated recovery areas along with a new child friendly area within the radiology department, improving outpatient facilities and, it is intended, a Welsh Institute for Child Health to improve training for specialists in children's services and research into childhood illness and health."