Bangor’s new temporary hospital, Ysbyty Enfys Bangor, commissioned as a response to the Coronavirus outbreak, is likely to be ready this weekend.

Bangor University’s sports and leisure facility at Canolfan Brailsford has been converted into a temporary hospital to provide beds for patients with COVID-19 symptoms.

A project of this sort would normally take 16 months to complete but has been completed in just 16 days. Around 250 additional beds will now be made available to the NHS as part of the partnership between the University and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

The work has involved installing a new heating system, medical gases and water system. When the building no longer needs to be used as a hospital, all the fittings can be removed and the sports centre returned to it’s original use.

The hospital will be used as a ‘step down’ site, for patients on their way to recovery from Covid-19, who will not need ventilation or breathing apparatus, but still need some nursing care.

A further 600 beds will be available in temporary hospitals at Venue Cymru in Llandudno and Deeside Leisure Centre will be the third location of a temporary hospital to treat North Wales residents with symptoms of COVID-19.

The three temporary hospitals have been renamed after the rainbow symbol of hope which has become synonymous with the region’s response to the outbreak of COVID-19.

Ffion Johnston, from Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, said: “We’re all trying to work as quickly as possible to get the best care for our patients.

“We have various campaigns now to get nurses, doctors, therapists and volunteers. We’ve also had a few people coming out of retirement.”

 

COVID-19 Appeal: The Bangor Aye has teamed up with Awyr Las to raise money for patients and to help staff at Ysbyty Gwynedd in the fight against COVID-19 The money will go towards ‘extras’ that aren’t provided by the NHS and will help patients and staff. Please donate what you can More information and Donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/the-bangor-aye