CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL IS BECOMING A POLITICAL FOOTBALL

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 4th Oct 2006

When Catherine Zeta Jones and Michael Douglas opened the Children's Hospital everyone thought that, after years of fund-raising, plus money from the Welsh Assembly Government, Wales at last was to have a fully operational Children's Hospital. However, the Children's Hospital has only three wards, including one for cancer and accommodation for families. There are no out-patient clinics, no intensive care unit, no renal dialysis.

Jenny Randerson, Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for Cardiff Central, said:

"So far, it's the only Children's Hospital in Europe without these facilities. Plans for six operating theatres plus six surgical wards are still on the drawing board. So far, only £12m has been spent but nearly a year ago, after a long delay, the Health Minister promised an additional £37.5m to complete the Hospital. Despite this, he has still not handed over the money.

"The official reason given is that the Government is waiting to ensure that the year on year revenue funding is available to run the Hospital. However, as it will take three years to build the Hospital once the decision is made, it gives the Government plenty of time to find the money. The suspicion is that the Labour Assembly Government is afraid of upsetting the small but noisy group in Swansea who have opposed the building of the Children's Hospital in Cardiff. Labour fear losing votes in Swansea at next year's Assembly Elections.

"If there's a grain of truth in that suspicion, then it is truly appalling. Over 3,000 children from all over Wales have been treated at the Children's Hospital so far. People from throughout Wales have contributed generously towards the funding for this Hospital. What we have so far is wonderful but limited in its scope. It could be so much better and our children deserve so much better.

"At the moment, sick children are still being treated in run-down dilapidated wards and their parents have to stay in cramped sub-standard accommodation. The Labour Assembly Government needs to take the decision immediately to release the money to enable the Children's Hospital for Wales to be completed. I will certainly be pressing the Government whenever I have the opportunity to give the go-ahead so the rest of the Hospital is completed as soon as possible. I have already raised this issue with the First Minister in Assembly Question Time this week."