Cardiff Council has pledged to work with the new Welsh Government to tackle a troubled hospital.
A motion filed by the council’s Liberal Democrat group received cross-party support in its call to put an end to the issues at the University Hospital of Wales (UHW).
It has previously been reported that the hospital’s building suffers from extensive issues such as, according to the original motion, “significant structural problems” and “a significant maintenance backlog”.
Other issues pointed out by the motion include “water leaks, sewage leaks, and problems with pigeon infestations, including reported incidents of pigeons even gaining access to clinical areas”.
During the debate, Liberal Democrat group leader Rodney Berman said: “These problems aren’t just an inconvenience – they have an impact on patient care.”
Amendments from both the Conservative and Labour groups were added to the original motion.
The Conservative motion included a formal thank you to the staff currently working in the hospital as well as a call for the new Welsh Government to “launch an action plan within the first six months of the new term with time scales for action due to the pressing need for this work to be undertaken”.
The Labour amendment proved more controversial in the chamber with Cllr Berman calling it both a “wrecking amendment” and an “election pledge”.
The amendment, which was later added to the motion, resolved the council to “welcome the commitment from the First Minister to deliver a new UHW” and requested the cabinet work with the health board and Welsh Government to support the delivery of the project.
It removed part of the motion that read: “This council therefore calls on the next Welsh Government to work with Cardiff and Vale University Health Board to agree and commit to a clear, funded plan to deliver a replacement UHW. “
Cllr Berman said this amendment “acknowledges the existence of an election pledge put forward by a party that may never implement it”, referencing Labour’s poor polling numbers for the upcoming Senedd election.
Cllr Jayne Cowan, who put forward the Conservative amendment, said it was “not acceptable that the major flagship hospital serving our wonderful capital city is in such a state”.
She added: “Staff should not be expected to continue working in conditions not sustainable in the long term.”
Council leader Huw Thomas said “the system has been starved of cash” in a reference to the austerity policies of later governments and praised the ambition of the current Labour-run Welsh Government.
Cllr Jackie Jones, who seconded the Labour amendment, told the chamber the staff working in UHW “deserve a better hospital”.
Six events taking place in the Vale of Glamorgan this weekend
Vale Council signs off placemaking plan for Barry
Plans filed to use Blackweir Fields for a series of live events this summer
Plans filled for controversial housing development in Cowbridge
Two local candidates stand down after revelations
RNLI issues Sully Island safety advice after first call out of the year to the Island
Morio Lounge on course to open at Nell's Point in May
Vale Council appoints specialist contractors to carry out road improvements
Three men jailed for their roles running a drugs line which supplied cocaine in Barry
Police appeal for witnesses after fatal Penarth Road collision
New Beach and country park facilities opened following major investement
RNLI centre at Barry Island welcomes lifeguards back to Whitmore Bay
Severn tidal lagoons progress
Barry Bedsit plans police concerns
Deposit Return Scheme on track for October 2027
Barry's mental health hub for young people undergoes major expansion
Age Connects Cardiff & the Vale launches campaign to safeguard service for future generations
£2.5 Million secured for Vale Transport schemes
