What proportion of the £175 million additional capital funding included in the Welsh Government's draft budget 2025-26 to improve the NHS estate and infrastructure will be allocated to maternity and neonatal services, specifically to increase the provision of overnight accommodation for parents with babies on neonatal units?
The additional capital funding will be directed at priority areas identified by health boards and NHS trusts to improve healthcare services.
A significant amount of capital funding has been provided for neonatal schemes across Wales over the last 10 years, including:
· £20m for the Sub-regional Neonatal Intensive Care Centre (SuRNICC) at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd.
· The £44m neonatal unit at the University Hospital of Wales.
· The £6.6m neonatal scheme at Prince Charles Hospital.
· The £29m neonatal unit at Glangwili Hospital.
· £1.7m for the birthing centre at Llandrindod Hospital
· £1.6m for perinatal services at Tonna Hospital.
Under the All-Wales Neonatal Standards, dedicated facilities are available for parents and families of babies receiving neonatal care. As a minimum there is one room per intensive care cot located within 10 to 15 minutes walking distance of the unit in a neonatal intensive care unit. Each health board is responsible for planning and delivering care in line with these standards.