A critical incident was declared at the Princess of Wales Hospital last year after extensive damage to its roof was discovered. Now, it has been confirmed that nearly £28 million will be required to repair the structure and reopen affected wards.
The Health Secretary, Jeremy Miles, announced today that the repair costs have risen to £27.9 million. The roof of the Bridgend hospital, which has been in service for nearly 40 years, failed in October, forcing the relocation of services, theatres, and wards across the Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board. Initially, the repair estimate was around £20 million, but further assessments led to a revised figure, which the Welsh Government confirmed on Friday, 7 February.
The crisis at the hospital first came to light in September last year when a survey revealed the extent of the deterioration. As a result, the health board declared a critical incident, leading to the immediate relocation of patients and disruptions to hospital operations.
Paul Mears, CEO of Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, explained in an October meeting that an intrusive survey had exposed severe roof degradation. He described how roofing battens had rotted away entirely in some areas, leaving approximately 10,000 square metres of roofing “completely compromised.”
The newly secured Welsh Government funding will facilitate the replacement of these 10,000 square metres of roof—equivalent to re-roofing 166 terraced houses. Work is already underway, with the aim of restoring essential services, starting with maternity and neonatal care.
In addition to the roof replacement, electrical upgrades and fire safety improvements are being carried out to minimise future disruption for patients and staff. The entire project, including these essential upgrades, is expected to be completed by the summer.
Commenting on the development, Jeremy Miles said: “We are providing £27.9m to replace the damaged roof at the Princess of Wales Hospital.
“This urgent funding will help re-open wards and bring back other vital services to Bridgend and ensure the safety of thousands of people who attend the hospital every day.
“Work is progressing well on site, and I want to say thank you to the health board, patients, staff, and everyone involved in this huge project for their patience and understanding.”
The Princess of Wales Hospital was commissioned to replace the ageing Bridgend General Hospital. Designed by Holder Mathias, it was officially opened by the Princess of Wales on 11 June 1986.
£28m needed to repair crumbling roof at the Princess of Wales Hospital
