With support from the Welsh Rugby Union, Cardiff Council and Cardiff Blues, the Principality Stadium and surrounding areas were identified as suitable venues to accommodate the anticipated increase in demand, and Ysbyty Calon y Ddraig – the Dragon’s Heart Hospital was born.
The Arms Park is currently providing logistical support during the building of the facility, and Phase A was completed over Easter weekend which will see the hospital open its doors to the first 350 patients in the days ahead. Once completed, the home of Cardiff Blues will house a staff welfare centre, catering facilities and the headquarters for the hospital’s facilities management.
Cardiff Blues chief executive, Richard Holland said: “As soon as we were made aware of the plans to turn the Principality Stadium into a hospital, we offered the entire Arms Park site to assist with the project. “Our operations team have been working tirelessly with colleagues at the WRU, Principality Stadium and the local health board and the Arms Park has now been transformed.
“The site will initially act as a logistical base during the construction phase of the hospital and once completed we will have welfare, catering and other facilities available to assist the brilliant NHS staff. These are uncertain and unprecedented times but we are proud to be able to support the NHS by making our facilities available.”
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board Chief Executive Len Richards added: “I’d like to thank the Welsh Rugby Union, Cardiff Council and Cardiff Blues for their commitment to the Ysbyty Calon y Ddraig Hospital. “We have never undertaken a project this big before and in such a short space of time.
“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.
“The staffing levels and type of patients received at the hospital is part of our planning and is constantly being refined in line with the trajectory of the Coronavirus. 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.
“Please help us to help those who need our hospitals the most by staying home, washing your hands and heeding the clinical advice to keep you and your families safe.”
