Phased relocation of services at Wrexham’s new outpatients facility
A health board has provided an update on when a new dedicated outpatients facility will open in Wrexham.
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board announced it had bought a property known as Plas Gororau on Wrexham Technology Park in August last year.
Officials said the building would house several outpatient services that are currently located at Wrexham Maelor Hospital, allowing for the expansion of the emergency department and clinical areas within the main hospital site.
When the plans were first announced, it was stated that the facility would open at the start of this year.
However, with the opening yet to take place, we asked the health board for an update and received the response below.
Adele Gittoes, BCUHB’S interim executive director of operations, said: “Works are continuing at Plas Gororau to turn the site into a dedicated building to house clinical services, including mental health outpatients.
“Plas Gororau is expected to open towards the end of the year and services will move there in different phases.
“During phase one mental health outpatients and a purpose-built vaccination centre for northeast Wales will open, along with new phlebotomy facilities.
“Phase two timeframes are to be confirmed and will mean moving of a number of other services.
“These will include further therapy and prehab services, sexual health and clinical research.
“Plas Gororau is only a short walk from the hospital’s main entrance and will have more than 200 dedicated parking spaces, for patients and staff.
“As services move into Plas Gororau, opportunities to significantly improve space within the main hospital will be created.”
When the scheme was initially outlined, the health board said it would lead to a minor injuries unit being created in an empty space near the Maelor’s emergency department, helping to ease pressure on A&E.
It was reported that the emergency department itself would also be expanded to assist in handling winter pressures.
Plas Gororau is a 44,186 sqft building on the technology park which was bought with funding support from the Welsh Government.
Speaking when the plans were first announced last year, Welsh Health Minister Eluned Morgan said: “It is fantastic that Welsh Government has been able to provide funding to help Wrexham Maelor expand their services.
“The new outpatients building will be a huge benefit to patients and the community by positively impacting the experience of patients, reduce waiting times for those waiting for appointments, free up emergency department capacity and help relieve pressures on the hospital.
“I look forward to visiting the new site when it is open.”
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