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”.
Post Office Seeks New Operator in Dinas Powys as Village Faces Loss of Its Last Branch
Gardening team praised after helping police clear fallen tree near St Brides Major
Specsavers calls on children in Barry to design Wales Deaf Rugby World Cup shirts
Whitmore High Named One of UK’s Best Workplaces for Development
Steel Signing Marks Major Milestone in St Richard Gwyn School Redevelopment
Two Rescues in Record Heat as Volunteer Teams Respond to Afternoon Emergencies
Police find evidence of a large-scale cannabis cultivation at Riverside Place property fire
Network Rail confirm closure of Brookside level crossing in Dinas Powys
Police given powers to ask people to leave Comeston Lakes Country Park
Planned children’s role play centre could be given the go-ahead by Vale Council
Marie Curie Garden Fayre deemed huge success
Council seeks views on Future of Colcot Sports Centre and Buttrills Playing Fields
First Minister quizzed on further devolution, budget decisions, and misinformation in FMQs
Extreme heat leads to changes to services and closures
Severe Heat Warning Set to Disrupt Rail Travel Across South Wales This Week
Communities asked to support older people across Wales during severe heat warning
Caribbean Community Wales Brings Wales‑Wide Launch to Barry This Weekend
Community Award winner calls for sanitary bins in men’s toilets after living with prostate‑cancer‑related incontinence
Cardiff Airport Backs Holiday Safety Campaign Honouring Rhoose Teenager Tom Channon
