Plans to move Cardiff's Rookwood Hospital to new £16m site

Rookwood Hospital was used to treat soldiers returning from conflict during World War Two

Plans for a new £16m brain injury rehabilitation hospital in Cardiff have been approved by the Welsh government.

Under the proposals, Rookwood's neurological and spinal services would move from its current World War Two era site in Llandaff, to a new unit at University Hospital Llandough by 2017.

Services for elderly patients will move to St David's Hospital in Canton.

First Minister Carwyn Jones said the move would deliver a "modernised and patient-centred service".

The new facility at University Hospital Llandough could be open by summer 2017

Marie Davies, of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, said the current Rookwood site was old and did not meet the needs of the "complex, advanced, modern care provided there".

She said the new purpose-built facilities would give patients the best possible chance of recovery and support staff to deliver excellent care.

The first minister added: "From the soldiers returning from conflict during the Second World War to the patients there today, generations of people from across Wales have relied on Rookwood's hardworking and dedicated staff to help them recover from often life-changing injuries.

"I'm very pleased to be able to approve initial plans for a £16.3m investment that will allow the re-location of these services to modern facilities, realising the ambition of delivering a truly modernised and patient-centred service."

The health board will now develop a full business case to be approved by the Welsh government.