Health board says new escalation facility could help cut ambulance waiting times

Richard Evans, local democracy reporter

Ambulance delays could be cut at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd if a new building at the hospital gets the green light.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has applied to Denbighshire County Council’s planning department, seeking permission to erect a new building which will offer extra capacity and speed up admissions.

Described as a permanent modular building, the health board hopes the ambulance escalation facility will provide extra space, allowing for more patients to be admitted, freeing up ambulances and their crews.

The cost of the building and its funding have not yet been revealed by the health board, but the planning application has now been registered by Denbighshire’s planning department.

Gill Harris is Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board’s deputy CEO and executive director of integrated clinical services.

She said: “The modular building will be next to the emergency department and will provide extra space at very busy times.

“This will help us to admit patients who arrive by ambulance more quickly and reduce delays for ambulance crews so they can respond to other calls.

“We will also move some non-clinical functions into the building to provide extra space in the emergency department.”

If the proposed building gets the go-ahead, it will be a metal-cladded modular unit with a metal modular unit roof, metal double-glazed units, and metal unit doors.

According to the planning application, the new building would create two new full-time jobs.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) was approached as part of the consultation process. The NRW said the development would not affect its list of consultation matters to be considered.

The planning application will now be considered by Denbighshire’s planning committee before a decision is reached.

The public are invited to support or oppose the application here…..