Wales' Newest Hospital Faces Criticism Over Delays and Crowding

Grange University Hospital in Cwmbran, Torfaen, is the newest hospital in Wales. It opened in September 2020, early in the pandemic, according to BBC News.

The hospital has faced criticism over long delays, overcrowding, staff shortages and the quality of care. Senior staff insist the hospital is safe.

On the day of a BBC News visit, all eight beds in the resuscitation unit were full. More than 90 patients were in the emergency department, and the longest wait was about 18 hours.

Dr Zoe Morgan-Pittard said the department was over capacity. At least eight ambulances were waiting outside during the visit.

Margaret Giles, 84, spent nine hours on a trolley after slipping and injuring her hip. X-rays showed that her hip was not broken.

On the day of the visit, 33% of ambulances were released within 45 minutes. Over the previous 30 days, the figure was 67%.

To help patients get ready to go home or move to another hospital, the hospital built a portacabin with 10 beds and 15 chairs.

The £350m hospital brought specialist care together from hospitals in Newport and Abergavenny. The health board remains at level four of Welsh government oversight, the second highest level.

Leanne Watkins, the health board's chief operating officer, said the hospital has among the best mortality rates in Wales. The health board's data suggests that death rates at the hospital are lower than at similar hospitals in Wales.