Appeal Awaits Critical Decision from Welsh Assembly Government

The Noah’s Ark Appeal is delighted to report that the re-submission to the Welsh Assembly Government of the business case to complete the Children’s Hospital for Wales was made before Christmas 2006 as promised by Cardiff and vale NHS Trust. A copy has been sent to us.

At the end of last year, we were told to expect a decision by the end of January 2007; a positive decision would of course give the green light to complete the Children’s Hospital for Wales. Time is nearly upon us and the Noah’s Ark Appeal has been reading the business case with interest. Phase one, which has been opened for nearly two years has two medical and two oncology wards. The plan for phase two is to accommodate the following:

  • In patient accommodation for 30 beds, 14 ambulatory care/overnight beds, 8 renal/cardiac beds
  • A paediatric intensive care unit with high dependency (7 beds and 4 beds respectively)
  • 4 paediatric theatres plus space for the construction of two further theatres to be commissioned in the future if required.
  • Radiology department for basic imaging, ultrasound and fluoroscopy
  • Shell accommodation for an MRI scanner – providing flexibility for future clinical developments in relation to diagnostics.
  • Cardiac diagnostic lab/respiratory lab
  • Neurophysiology accommodation
  • Outpatient/therapy/ENT/ clinical investigation areas
  • A dedicated paediatric dental facility
  • Dedicated academic and teaching facilities including play and educational facilities
  • Parent’s accommodation
  • Multi-faith facilities
  • Office accommodation
  • Kitchens


The number of patients that are treated each year by Cardiff and Vale NHS but do not enjoy the world-class facilities of the Children’s Hospital for Wales are as follows:

In-patients: 10,138
Out-patients: 53,808
Total : 63,946

Of these children 18,172 come from outside of Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, close to one third.

These figures exclude those patients treated each year at The Children’s Hospital for Wales.

The total estimated funding requirement is £44,376m of which is capital £39,227m (already committed by WAG) and Revenue £5,149m.

Of the revenue costs, £3,188m are capital charges made by WAG.

Lyn Jones, Chairman of Trustees at the Noah’s Ark Appeal said “We are all waiting with bated breath for the decision and we hope upon hope that the completion of the Children’s Hospital will be given the green light; this will mean that all children in Wales will have access to state-of-the-art care and facilities. We were delighted to receive a copy of the revised business plan and to know that everything is on schedule”.