Following the discovery of unsafe concrete in the building at Pembrokeshire’s Withybush Hospital, Plaid Cymru has stated that this is ‘Not the first warning’ Labour has had that NHS buildings are not operationally safe.

Hywel Dda University Health Board has today (Tuesday, August 15) declared an internal major incident at Withybush Hospital as it seeks to identify the scale and impact of the Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) found in the hospital building.

Tthree wards in Withybush have needed to close due to the condition of the RAAC planks found, with the situation being managed and patients relocated to other health board locations in Pembrokeshire.

The scale of the issue is not yet known, although it’s understood the same material has been found at Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth.

Both hospitals are part of Hywel Dda health board.

This follows a report in January that over a third of buildings owned by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board were “operationally unsafe.”

Plaid Cymru spokesperson for health and care, Mabon ap Gwynfor MS said: “Two decades of underinvestment from Labour, and nearly 14 years of underfunding from Westminster and the NHS in Wales is now literally crumbling in front of our eyes.

“We’ve known for a long time that our NHS in Wales is at breaking point and something has to give.

“There have been long-standing problems with patient flow through hospitals, more and more patients being added to waiting lists, and over the last 12 months our hard-working staff have taken to picket lines over pay and conditions. And now a reminder that the buildings themselves are also vulnerable to pressure.

“This is not the first warning that Labour Welsh Government have had that buildings are not up to scratch. Back in January, we learnt that only 62% of buildings owned by Betsi Cadwaladr UHB are operationally safe.

“Yes, Welsh Government’s hands are tied by Westminster, but let’s not forget that this has happened on their watch.”