Merthyr Tydfil’s Mayor and Councillor visit what appears a permanent building site at Prince Charles Hospital’s for a photo shoot
After postponing planned visits to Prince Charles Hospital due to pandemic pressures, the Health Board and its main contractors, Tilbury Douglas were pleased to welcome Councillor Geraint Thomas, Leader of Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council and Councillor Declan Sammon, Mayor of Merthyr Tydfil to Prince Charles Hospital earlier this month.
The group spent an informative afternoon being updated on the progress of the refurbishment programme at the Hospital – as it’s now in its second year of a five year programme. To date, the programme of works is only reporting a one day delay, this was due to the recent unexpected Bank Holiday.
Jeremy Holifield, Responsible Officer for the programme at the Health Board said: “To be maintaining such a complex programme of major works within a busy live hospital setting is a significant achievement and, as much as we still have a number of years ahead of us, Tilbury Douglas the lead contractor for the programme and all those on the project should be commended on the progress being made”.
Bill Rogers, Programme Director at the Health Board also gave praise to staff, visitors and patients for their understanding and flexibility in supporting the progression of these hugely beneficial improvements across the site.
As part of the update, Councillor Thomas and the Mayor walked the site with Mel Jehu, the Health Board’s Independent Member for Community and Chief Operating Officer Gethin Hughes – the group visited a number of completed areas, talking with pharmacy colleagues and seeing the new dispensary robot in operation; along with visiting the new and improved catering, barista and dining room facilities that support staff, visitors and patients.
The visitors were informed about the existing car parking improvements at the site and how they have been progressed ahead of programme, with all existing areas now fully resurfaced with new lighting, walkways and crossing points. They were delighted to learn that the car parking has also been expanded to include an additional 140 spaces with a much greater provision of disabled spaces, with further expansion planned in later phases.
The visit also looked at areas under construction, walking through areas currently being built to house the future outpatient accommodation in the ground floor and theatres suite at first floor – the group then went to the roof of the hospital to view the new plant room space being built above the existing front elevations, which gave a birds eye view of the two tower cranes in operation.
Accompanying the group were Dave Murphy and Paul Manual from Tilbury Douglas. Paul had worked at Prince Charles Hospital 46 years ago when it was being built and has been back working on the site since the refurbishment commenced. Paul said: “It was like going back in time walking around the hospital again. I’m delighted to be working back at the hospital on the refurbishment programme and seeing the site modernised as part of the works being carried out.”
Councillor Thomas said: “The Mayor and I were very impressed with both the quality of the work and the progress being made on the Prince Charles Hospital refurbishment programme, particularly since it’s taking place in an incredibly busy hospital environment. The improvements will undoubtedly enhance the experience for patients, their visitors, and the staff for years to come.”
