Further to Plenary on 23 November 2022, will the Minister clarify what action the Welsh Government will take to see as many as 750 empty units of accommodation owned by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board brought into use?
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is considering procurement options to work with a partner for its staff residences across its acute sites in North Wales.
At present the management and maintenance of existing staff residential accommodation, consisting of 614 units across Ysbyty Maelor, Ysbyty Glan Clwyd and Ysbyty Gwynedd, require investment to meet residential accommodation standards.
The accommodation is occupied by a range of hospital staff including junior doctors. Provision of sustainable residential units is key in terms of attracting healthcare workforce to the region and maintaining an excellent place to work. The health board identifies the forecast demand for accommodation is greater than the current supply.
A key output of the potential procurement is that staff residential accommodation will be replaced or upgraded over time. The procurement model will look to address issues including the condition of the current accommodation and also, in the longer term, the option to free up space on the main hospital sites.