A healthy budget for hospitals

New funding for hospital buildings totalling £30m has been allocated in the Welsh Government’s Draft Budget for 2013-14, which was published earlier this week.

The boost for the redevelopment of Morriston Hospital and for mental health services across South Wales has been welcomed by both Health Minister Lesley Griffiths and by Swansea East AM, Mike Hedges.

An additional £18m for Morriston Hospital will allow Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Local Health Board to press ahead with plans for the redevelopment of the main entrance; to improve clinical accommodation for out-patient, renal dialysis, endoscopy and maxillo-facial services and provide a new education centre.

The £30m for health capital projects is part of the Welsh Government’s £175m capital investment package for hospitals, schools, road improvements and houses. The £6.3bn budget for the health service has been protected, meaning that the Welsh Government is still spending more than 40% of its total budget on health despite deep cuts to the overall budget by the UK Government.