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New hospital won't be built for at least 10 years

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The original strategy included repurposing Withybush General Hospital and Glangwili General Hospital

A new hospital for west Wales will not be built for at least 10 years after delays , the chief executive of Hywel Dda health board said.

An original strategy outlined it would be completed by 2029, with two possible sites, in St Clears and Whitland, Carmarthenshire, earmarked.

However, Phil Kloer said the hospital may not be built for at least 10 years and "maybe longer".

A paper presented by the health board points out that the costs of delivering the original strategy had increased due to inflation.

The strategy included the development of community hubs and refreshing Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli and Bronglais hospital in Aberystwyth.

It also included repurposing Glangwili General Hospital and Withybush, and constructing the new hospital.

The health board asked the Welsh government for £1.3bn in investment to implement the changes.

Mr Kloer made the comments at a health board meeting, where members decided to "refresh" the strategy which outlines the future configuration of services.

He said it "would be wrong to plough on with the same thinking" in light of the impact of Covid and other reasons including changes in demography and climate change.

A paper presented by Executive Director of Strategy and Planning Lee Davies points out that the costs of delivering the original strategy had increased due to inflation.

It added that "although a phased implementation may increase the overall cost of the programme", a phased development may make it "more affordable for the Welsh government".

It said that it may have to review the location of the new hospital despite a lengthy public consultation being held to create a shortlist of two possible sites.

The decision to review the strategy was discussed at the same meeting as the health board confirmed a deficit of £64m in its accounts, despite the delivery of £32.4m in savings.

The Welsh government said: “A detailed timescale is currently uncertain, but it is essential the HM Treasury business case guidance is followed on large infrastructure projects such as this.”