Wales' largest temporary hospital opens at Cardiff's Principality Stadium

A temporary hospital based at the Principality Stadium has officially opened to meet increased demand for beds during the coronavirus pandemic.

Ysbyty Calon Y Ddraig, the Dragon's Heart Hospital, is the largest temporary hospital in Wales and the second largest in the UK.

It will provide up to 2,000 additional beds for Covid-19 patients.

It will double the size of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board's system, with patients being treated in large tent-like structures and the hospitality boxes.

Around 750 beds are on the pitch, with 250 on platforms around it, and there is on-site radiography, laboratories and a pharmacy.

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board said the hospital has been built based on what it believes what might be needed.

Chief executive of the health board, Len Richards, said: "I sincerely hope we don't need to use all of the capacity but it is far better to have developed plans based upon the scientific evidence and modelling of the experts.

"This facility will allow us to free up capacity at our other hospital sites so that we can continue to provide services to patients with other health conditions."

Inside the President’s Lounge, transformed from lounge bar to hospital bays. Credit: Welsh Government

The official opening will be hosted on Monday afternoon by Welsh rugby star Dr Jamie Roberts, who has been temporarily working in the NHS as a clinical innovation fellow.

Key speakers include Professor Charles Janczewski, chair of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, and Dr Jonathon Gray, director of Ysbyty Calon Y Ddraig.

Vaughan Gething, Minister for Health and Social Services, will also be speaking and there will be a video address from First Minister Mark Drakeford.

The event will close with a video recorded by Prince Charles at his Birkhall home in Scotland.

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