Finance Minister, Jane Hutt and Health Minister, Mark Drakeford were in Swansea to see how a £130.5m Welsh Government investment is helping transform Morriston Hospital into a 21st century healthcare facility.

The multi-million pound transformation is part of HealthVision Swansea, a multi-phased programme to modernise health services across the Swansea area.

The Ministers viewed progress being made on a £60m development of a new outpatient department and main entrance for the hospital. Planned to be completed in October 2014, the new facility will replace the existing facilities which date back to World War II, and will provide patients with a range of health services in one area.

Other investments at Morriston include:

• £6.3m for the redevelopment of one of Wales' busiest Emergency Departments, which has improved the internal configuration of the Department, improved children's emergency services, and increased major trauma capacity. It was completed in December 2012.

-- Advertisement --

• £9.6m for the development of the Specialist Rehabilitation Centre, which was completed in April 2013.

• £21.5m for a multi-storey and ground based car park, a new helipad, internal road reconfiguration, which has transformed the infrastructure on the site.

• Detailed design is underway for an estimated £21m facility that will provide fit for purpose accommodation for Clinical Support, Diabetic Care and Occupational Health Services. It is anticipated the construction phase will be completed in the summer of 2015.

Minister Hutt said: "UK Government cuts mean that by 2015-16, the Welsh Government's Budget will be 10% lower than it was in 2010-11. Despite this, the budget for the Welsh NHS is now the biggest it has ever been – a clear demonstration of this Welsh Government's commitment to a sustainable health service for Wales which is free at the point of need.

"Delivering efficient and economical public services is one of our Wales Infrastructure Investment Plan priorities. Since publication of the Plan in May last year, we have invested significant additional capital in health services, to ensure that they are fit for the future and affordable in the long-term.

"I have allocated an additional £21m for Morriston Hospital including £3m in the Final Budget for 2014-15, which was agreed by the National Assembly for Wales last week."

(CD/JP)