February 16, 2026 - 195 views
Calls have been renewed for progress on long-standing plans to build a new community hospital in Rhyl, aimed at easing pressure on healthcare services across North Wales.
Clwyd West MS Darren Millar has written to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care highlighting the need for the facility to move forward, particularly given the ongoing demand on nearby Ysbyty Glan Clwyd in Bodelwyddan.
Initial proposals for the Rhyl development, first unveiled in 2013, outlined a 30-bed community hospital. Plans included 18 inpatient beds for older people with mental health conditions, alongside diagnostic services such as X-ray and ultrasound, a pharmacy and a Minor Injuries Unit.
However, revised plans announced last year reduced the number of beds to 14. While planning permission has now been secured, construction has yet to begin more than a decade after the scheme was first proposed.
Healthcare services in North Wales are delivered by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, which is the largest health board in Wales, covering a population of around 700,000 people. Like many parts of the UK, the region has faced sustained pressure on hospital capacity, emergency departments and waiting lists in recent years.
Supporters of the Rhyl project argue that a well-resourced community hospital could play an important role in reducing demand on acute services by providing step-down care, diagnostics and treatment closer to home. Community hospitals are often seen as a way to support older patients and those with ongoing conditions without the need for admission to larger district general hospitals.
In his correspondence, Mr Millar expressed concern that a reduced bed capacity may limit the hospital’s ability to fulfil its intended purpose of relieving pressure on Ysbyty Glan Clwyd. He said ensuring sufficient capacity would be key to meeting local healthcare needs.
The Welsh Government has previously confirmed its commitment to developing healthcare infrastructure in North Wales, with planning approval in place for the Rhyl scheme. Funding allocations and final delivery arrangements will determine the scale and timeline of the build.
For residents in Rhyl and the surrounding coastal communities, the focus remains on seeing tangible progress on a project first discussed over a decade ago, amid continued demand for accessible healthcare services closer to home.
