Written question WQ84597

The Welsh Government’s Nosocomial Transmission Group in conjunction with NWSSP- Specialist Estates Services (SES) has provided updated guidance on ventilation in general hospital areas in Wales. This was issued as SESN 21/22 Operational guide for the transition of healthcare environments in preparation for Autumn/Winter 2021/22 incorporating COVID - 19 Measures.

Initiatives have been taken across the health board estate improving ventilation in high-risk areas where COVID patients may be treated. These include the installation of additional equipment such as heat recovery ventilation plant, and air purifiers (HEPA) following discussions and approval with the Ventilation Safety Group.

Welsh Government provided COVID funding to all Health Boards during the pandemic including for targeted ventilation measures Capital funding has also been provided in 2021-22 through the Estates Funding Advisory Board which was managed by NWSSP-SES. £10million was for Infrastructure projects, allowing Health Boards to bid for monies to cover the upgrade of infrastructure including ventilation.

Work is ongoing with the UK NHS and (including representatives from SAGE around air purifiers, to validate their effectiveness in the healthcare setting.

Trials on the use of air purifiers in NHS Wales are being undertaken by three of the Health Boards to validate their effectiveness before recommending their wide scale use within the healthcare environment.

The current approach to CO2 monitoring was set out in my earlier reply (WQ84596).

In terms of the wider estate Welsh Government provided Health Boards with £450,000 in 2020-21 from NHS Stabilisation Funding to help support dental practices providing NHS services install new ventilation equipment. This was aimed at reducing fallow time and increasing the number of patients being treated. Funding was allocated on a proportional basis to Health Boards, with most providing a level of match funding.