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A critical incident has been declared at a hospital in south Wales after the discovery of serious long-term damage to its roof.

Rain water has been entering the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend and now a survey has found the need for extensive repairs.

Staff have not yet worked out the impact on patients, who have been told to turn up to appointments as usual, unless they have been contacted directly by health board staff.

Cwm Taf Morgannwg health board said the whole estate would be used to manage the care of patients – it has a number of other major hospitals and smaller sites across Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfil.

In a letter to staff, chief executive Paul Mears said, "This is more serious than blocked gutters.

"Much of the roof of the hospital was constructed 40 years ago, and techniques and materials have improved considerably in that time.

"The roof design did not provide for adequate ventilation and this has led to the wooden roof battens, which support the concrete roof tiles, rotting."

In a statement on the health board’s website, he added: "The safety of our staff and patients on site remains our top priority, and we are taking immediate action to bring the roof, which is more the 40 years old, up to an acceptable and modern standard.

"We fully appreciate how this is both concerning and disruptive for patients and their families, but we are committed to putting these plans in place to ensure our patients continue to be cared for properly and safely.

"This will involve some health board services and care being provided in a different place. We are currently working through these options to ensure that this causes minimal disruption to patients.

"While this is a significant situation, moving patients is not unusual – it regularly takes place to enable patients to receive scans, or receive treatment. Our staff are very used to responding quickly to ensure continuity of patient care during challenging times."