Since it first opened in 1978, Prince Charles Hospital (PCH) has been the cornerstone of healthcare for the Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Bridgend communities. As a key provider of acute emergency, elective medical and surgical services, the hospital plays a key role in supporting South Wales communities.

Today, the hospital is undergoing a significant, multi-phased transformation funded by the Welsh Government. Led by Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, the project aims to convert the existing hospital into a highly sustainable and patient-focused healthcare facility.

The extensive refurbishment of the hospital has afforded the opportunity to embrace modern standards of healthcare design, enabling Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board to meet contemporary expectations for patient care and minimise frequent maintenance of an increasingly aged estate. The expertise of Tilbury Douglas and the broader project team has been crucial in delivering this vision.

Client

  • Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, with Tilbury Douglas as Supply Chain Partner

Architect

  • HLM Architects

Awards

  • Won 2025 Constructing Excellence in Wales – Retrofit Award

Location

  • Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales

Appointed by NHS Building for Wales (NHSBfW) Supply Chain Partner Tilbury Douglas, WSP has proudly supported this project since Phase 1, working alongside HLM Architects, Hoare Lea and Tilbury Douglas Engineering. With Phase 2 currently underway, we’re bringing multidisciplinary expertise in civil, structural and geotechnical engineering, as well as providing planning support and Building Information Modelling (BIM).

Our team has been working closely with project stakeholders to realise the client’s ambition of a forward-thinking healthcare facility. From using storey-deep Vierendeel trusses to facilitate work above live wards to using digital solutions to streamline the construction programme, we’re helping to support the delivery of a facility that meets contemporary needs, without impacting vital operations.

WSP Director Stuart Renshaw says: “WSP is proud to be supporting the upgrades of this critical hospital, which has the potential to significantly boost healthcare outcomes in South Wales.”

Modernising a major South Wales hospital

Since 2007, PCH has been undergoing a comprehensive, multi-phased redevelopment. This includes the introduction of new departments and comprehensive upgrades of existing ones to meet the evolving needs of patients and healthcare professionals.

Key changes for Phase 2 included:

  • Refurbishment of the therapies department, which features a hydrotherapy pool and gymnasium to support enhanced rehabilitation services.
  • The outpatient and radiology departments also underwent significant upgrades to improve patient flow and accelerate diagnostic processes.
  • Surgical and diagnostic capabilities were expanded with the addition of new trauma and general surgical theatres.
  • Pathology services have been modernised to enable faster test processing, and a purpose-built haematology day unit has been established to provide efficient, patient-centred oncology care.

By prioritising the upgrade of existing buildings over demolition, the project demonstrates how healthcare facilities can be modernised to meet today’s needs–while avoiding the higher carbon emissions that may result from constructing a new hospital. 

Delivering critical infrastructure above live wards

To support the expansion of critical departments, two new large rooftop plantrooms needed to be built directly above live wards. Our team came up with a unique solution, using storey-deep Vierendeel trusses to enable the work to be carried out safely directly above wards without disrupting the hospital’s day-to-day operations.

Optimising clinical routes

With patients and staff being at the heart of the new design, our team uncovered an opportunity to improve the existing hospital’s transportation routes. Informed by extensive research and modelling, our structural engineers worked with the project team to convert a shear wall in the Critical Care area into a doorway. 

This will provide an additional access route to enable patients to be moved more easily and swiftly between wards – while helping to make communication between different departments more seamless.

Building smarter with digital solutions

A crucial part of translating the project from design into delivery was utilising advanced digital and data solutions. Our experts adopted a structured and standards-driven approach, which aligned with ISO 19650 principles, to enhance coordination of the construction programme and improve cost management.

WSP Associate Director Matt Lewis mentioned: “Our digital approach not only helped streamline coordination and enhanced stakeholder engagement but also supported operational continuity, allowing safe construction in a live hospital environment. This scalable approach will also be applied to future project phases.”


Images are courtesy of Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, HLM Architects and David Barbour.

Benefits of our digital approach

Better coordination

Using BIM helped reduce the need for rework and made it easier for everyone involved to stay aligned.

Safe construction in live environments

Digital rehearsals and sequencing supported safe and efficient work, while hospital services remained active.

Future-ready approach

The same digital methods will be utilised in Phases 3 and 4 of the hospital redevelopment.

Explore Prince Charles Hospital

Other challenges that we have overcome