Dame Shirley Visits Children's Hospital

Dame Shirley Bassey visited the existing children's wards at the University Hospital for Wales on 24th September 2004, before making her way to the site of the first Children's Hospital for Wales.

In the existing wards, Dame Shirley first stopped to pose for photographs with children in the play-room before being shown around the wards themselves. "I was shocked to see how cramped the rooms are, it doesn't seem possible for parents to be able to stay with their child without having to sleep in a chair. There is nowhere to put anything and even the corridors are full of equipment. I saw huge patches on the roof where water has poured in, let's hope that the patches hold with all the rain forecast. Everything felt a little shabby and old-fashioned although there are bright drawings around to cheer the children up and everyone said that the staff are marvellous."

"When I then visited the new Children's Hospital that is well on its way to being finished by Christmas, I really got a sense that Wales will finally have a wonderful building specially built for children. I have seen the art designs and they are fantastic. I am so pleased that I have been able to contribute; I feel that I have really left a wonderful legacy in my home town."

Chairman of The Noah's Ark Appeal, G Stanley Thomas revealed that the children's oncology (cancer) outpatients department that will treat nearly 2,500 children each year is to bear the name of Dame Shirley. "Dame Shirley has made a wonderful gift to the children of Wales and it is our pleasure to welcome her to see the first Children's Hospital for Wales and to see the difference between Wales' current flagship children's wards and the new hospital.