GLANGWILI Hospital will benefit from £25 million of funding after it was approved by the Welsh Government.

The second phase of redevelopment of obstetric and neonatal facilities will see capacity increase at the hospital.

More high dependency cots, special care cots and parent overnight stay rooms will be introduced at Glangwili, as well as extra birthing rooms, operating theatres and resuscitation bays.

Plans are also in place to build an additional 59 car parking spaces.

It is hoped the plans, which are scheduled to be completed in 2020, will provide a safe environment for the delivery of obstetric and neonatal services at Glangwili and address the urgent areas of concern highlighted in the Royal Colleges’ report into maternity, neonatal and paediatric services provided by Hywel Dda Health Board.

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services, Vaughan Gething, announced the funding during a visit to the site on Thursday.

He said: “I’m delighted to approve £25 million Welsh Government funding for the further redevelopment of Glangwili Hospital’s obstetric and neonatal facilities.

“This funding will improve the clinical quality, safety and innovation at the site. It will mean better access to services for patients and their parents, as well as improving the well-being of staff.

“This investment will address the urgent areas of concern highlighted in the Royal Colleges’ report on maternity services in Hywel Dda Health Board.

“This should significantly improve the patient experience and accommodation for families and, as it is a larger unit, may also reduce the risk of families having to travel out of our area for care due to capacity reasons.”

Assembly Member for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, Adam Price, says the decision to invest in a hospital which could see its services cut as part of a new health shakeup shows a lack of coordination between the Welsh Government and the Health Board.

Mr Price added: "Whilst investment in our local health service is always welcome, I have become very cynical towards grand announcements like this, not least because three years have passed since this 'urgent' investment was recommended, and we may soon see proposals to close the very hospital which is to receive additional money.

"If the investment announced today is likely to take two years before completion, and we may well see proposals for closure in the meantime, we have to question whether the Health Board and Labour Government know what they're doing in terms of planning for the future of our health services."

A consultation on potential changes is set to launch on April 19.