(Title Image: © Copyright Richard Hoare and licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence BY-SA-2.0)
An Audit Wales report (pdf) says a £171million refurbishment and asbestos removal project at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd near Bodelwyddan was up to £60million over-budget.
The Welsh Government’s original budget for the works was set at £110million. Due to tight deadlines and what’s described as “management deficiencies” by Betsi Cadwaladr health board, the Welsh Government had to contribute an additional £53million and the health board £7million to complete the work.
While the work was delayed by only a few months, Auditor General, Adrian Compton said; “This report demonstrates the fundamental importance of good governance and robust oversight of complex capital projects. Whilst the complex refurbishment has been delivered largely on time, the very significant cost overrun might well have been avoided if concerns about the original business case had been properly addressed at the outset.”
The project involved the removal of 300,000 tonnes of contaminated waste, as well as the construction or refurbishment of accident and emergency facilities, surgical suites, x-ray and outpatient facilities and new pathology and critical care units.
