THE First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford, has been challenged on the “unsafe” state of Abergele Hospital, where 85 per cent of the estate is deemed operationally unsafe.

In yesterday’s (January 24) meeting of the Welsh Parliament, Welsh Conservative Leader Andrew RT Davies, highlighted a report from North Wales’ Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

This showed only 62 per cent of its buildings are "operationally safe,” compared to a Wales-wide average of 72 per cent, and below the 90 per cent target.

He said: “Last week, a report highlighted the poor fabric of buildings within the Betsi Cadwaladr University Local Health Board area.

“In particular, the Abergele Hospital, where 85 per cent of the estate is deemed operationally unsafe and does not meet the requirements of the health and safety regulations that any other place would have to meet.

“Across the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board area, only 62 per cent of the estate meets that operationally safe caveat or requirement.

“You are responsible, your health minister's responsible, this health board has been in special measures for six years under direct government control.

“Why has this situation developed, and will you apologise for it?”

In response, Mr Drakeford said: “We have committed more than £335million in this financial year, in capital expenditure, to the Welsh NHS.

“We will commit a further £375m next year for the same purposes. We face sites that are 30 years and more old, where there are compliance issues being identified, as organisations undertake survey work.

“And the call on that capital is huge. Last week, I answered a question from the leader of the opposition's colleague Darren Millar, who made a case that he's made regularly on the floor of the Senedd, for investment in a new hospital that would serve people in his constituency.

“I said then that that scheme would have to be assessed by the board, alongside its many other priorities.

“It is simply the fact that the call for capital expenditure in the Welsh NHS exceeds our ability to fulfil that demand—and some of the figures, actually, you have to treat them a little bit more carefully than I think the leader of opposition was treating them in his question—and you have to find a way of meeting the most urgent demands from the capital that we have for those purposes.

“The capital budgets available to the Welsh Government go down every year; they are eight per cent lower next year than they are this year.

“Where does the member think the money comes from to do the things that he suggests? Not only that, but our capital borrowing limit has remained unchanged since 2016.

“These are not decisions of the Welsh Government; they are decisions of the Government that he supports.

Commenting after the exchange, Clwyd West MS, Darren Millar, said: “It is absolutely appalling that the First Minister is refusing to take responsibility for the fact that his government is putting both patients and NHS staff at immense risk.

“The fact that 85 per cent of the estate of Abergele Hospital is deemed operationally unsafe is a matter for urgent attention, not something that can be brushed aside.

“Our hard working NHS staff are already working under pressured conditions due to record-long waiting times, forcing them to work in buildings which are unsafe will lead to many of them leaving and seeking employment elsewhere, placing more pressures on the remaining staff and putting patients even more at risk.”

Mr Davies added: “It goes to show, too, just how expendable North Wales is to the Labour Government in Cardiff Bay.

“Conditions here are far worse than across Wales, yet they are brushed aside by arrogance and hubris, something I am certain residents will remember.”

The report will be presented at a Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board meeting tomorrow (January 26).