THE “MODERNISATION” of Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth will from part of a “once in a lifetime bid” for health and care investment worth £1.3 billion, Hywel Dda Health Board has said.

The health board said it will discuss and agree the submission of an “ambitious plan to improve health outcomes and well-being of our population”, on Thursday, 27 January, which will go to the Welsh Government for approval.

Proposals within the plan include “improvements and modernisation” of Aberystwyth’s Bronglais Hospital, which the health board said “will continue to provide acute emergency and planned care.”

Other plans include investment in existing or new community hubs across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire, a new Urgent and Planned Care Hospital, somewhere between Narberth and St Clears, and the re-purposing or re-build of Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest and Glangwili Hospital, Carmarthen, and improvements and modernisation of Prince Philip Hospital, in Llanelli.

Steve Moore, Chief Executive of Hywel Dda, said: “This is the first but important stage of producing a business case to Welsh Government to try to secure a scale of investment never seen before in this area of Wales.

“If supported, investment could exceed £1.3billion.

“This is a significant bid but reflects the enormity of the change and improvement being sought for the benefit of our communities.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has re-enforced the need for change, and we believe this is our once in a lifetime opportunity to improve the health outcomes and wellbeing of our population and create a healthier mid and west Wales and hope for the future.”

Following a formal endorsement from the Welsh Government, the health board will then move to the next stage of individual outline and final business cases for elements of the programme.

There will also be a need for regular engagement, and possibly consultation on parts of the programme, with patients, public, staff, and partners.

Mr Moore added: “I understand the strength of feeling and passion for our NHS that our staff and public have and we want to continue to harness that and keep engaging with our communities as we build more detail around these plans.

“To enable a generational shift to a wellness system we need the whole package of prevention and early intervention, at all stages of life.

“That includes the backbone of strong and sustainable primary and community services; proper provision of rehabilitation and therapies; acute hospital services that are able to provide the standard of provision our communities deserve; and a supported workforce.”

The health board said the bid will mean it can “address long standing challenges, including fragile services, unsustainable workforce and financial challenges”, as well as an “aging hospital estate”, with Hywel Dda having some of the oldest hospital buildings in Wales.