£3m funding for new endoscopy and day surgery services at Wrexham Maelor Hospital.

More than £3 million is to be invested into the Wrexham Maelor Hospital to address “infrastructure issues” and replace facilities which have been closed for over a year.

The funding announcement was made by Welsh Government Health Secretary Vaughan Gething this morning, who confirmed that the £3 million would be spent installing ‘two theatre suite modular development’ for day case surgeries at the hospital. A new endoscopy suite will also be installed.

The two modular theatres are expected to open in March 2018.

It comes as a result of the temporary closure of two theatres in 2016 and an endoscopy suite earlier this year due to ventilation problems.

Since their closures Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board have hired two mobile theatres for a six month period to help mitigate the current disruption at the hospital. Funded by the Health Board, the mobile theatres will be in place by January 2018.

However it is hoped that the funding announcement today will result in more “more robust facilities for the people of Wrexham and the surrounding area for the next decade”.

Commenting on the announcement, Health Secretary, Vaughan Gething said: “Ensuring the people of Wales have access to up-to-date healthcare services in a safe environment is a priority.

“I’m pleased to announce over £3m worth of funding for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to take the necessary steps to improve facilities at Wrexham Maelor Hospital.

“Moreover, this will enable health professionals to work efficiently, providing high quality patient care for patients in Wrexham and the surrounding area, and meet the required performance standards.”

Chief Executive of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Gary Doherty added: “We have been working closely with Welsh Government since the closure of the theatres in the Wrexham Maelor Hospital and we are delighted that funding has been awarded to install two new modular theatres for day case surgery.

“Through the addition of local capital resources we will also install an endoscopy suite.

“We are pleased that we have been able to take swift action to improve this situation. These new facilities will ensure that people in Wrexham and the surrounding area will continue to receive a high quality service going forward.”