Principality Stadium to be transformed into a hospital for COVID-19

Due to the ongoing rise in coronavirus cases, the decision has been made to use the Principality Stadium as a hospital, fit for 2000 beds. It has previously served as a temporary hospital for ambulance services too.

This decision has been made by the Welsh Rugby Union and the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.

The CEO of the health board, Len Richards, said that “I understand the concern that this will cause, not only in the community but among my staff too”. He then went onto to state that “however we are planning on the basis of what we think we might need to ensure we are as ready as we can be.”

“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.”

He also added that “the 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.”

Vaughan Getting, the Health Minister for Wales, said that he had approved funding costs of £8m for the project.

Welsh Pro14 region Scarlets have also made their Parc y Scarlets rugby stadium in Llanelli available.

Leisure centres and some public buildings in Carmarthenshire are also to be turned into hospital wards in order to help the services cope with the growing demand.

Martin Phillips, CEO of the Welsh Rugby Union, added “We have made the entire Principality Stadium available to be used based on NHS requirements, including hospitality areas and a variety of further rooms and facilities.”

“We have made advanced plans to transform relevant spaces into fully functional hospital environments, working closely with Levy UK, who are responsible for overseeing similar transitions elsewhere.”