THE REDEVELOPMENT of the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Rhyl has entered a new stage, as the health board entered the procurement phase for the new design.

Plans for a new North Denbighshire Community Hospital at the site were revealed in 2013.

Proposals included community beds, a same day minor injuries and illness service, a treatment zone, outpatient therapy services, sexual health, community dental, radiology, adult psychology and mental health services.

But the project has been beset by delay due to costs spiralling - the project remains frozen as it awaits Welsh Government approval and the allocation of funds.

Redevelopment costs have increased from £22million to more than £100million, as stated by the First Minister in the Senedd.

The delay to the project has faced criticism from politicians, including Clwyd West MS Darren Millar, who said there had been “insufficient progress” on the delivery of the “long promised” plans.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) said the rising costs of labour, services and raw materials had affected the project.

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The health board said it remained “totally committed” to the hospital’s revamp, and that a business case would be resubmitted to Welsh Government next year.

BCUHB’s central integrated health community director, Gareth Evans, said: “As the Finance Minister suggested, rising costs of labour, services and raw materials have affected the amount of capital needed to complete the amended project – details of which we outlined earlier this year.

“We are still working towards improved costings and a new business case which provides the services needed and gives real value for the public funds invested.

“I am pleased to report that, in agreement with Welsh Government, this week we have commenced the procurement process for our new design.

“The business case will be resubmitted in 2025.

“Working closely with our local authority partners, our focus is on building services fit for the 21st-century, which bolster care within our communities and support our acute hospitals.