Glan Clwyd Hospital asbestos removal brought forward

Image caption, Asbestos removal at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd will start in the new year.

Work to remove asbestos from one of north Wales' main hospitals has been brought forward.

Removal of asbestos from ceilings above theatres and corridors at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd in Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire will now start in the new year.

Asbestos was a popular building material when the hospital was constructed in the 1970s.

A spokesman for Betsi Cadwaladr Local Health Board said the asbestos posed no "immediate risk" to patients' safety.

Emergency and elective surgery will continue despite the disruption.

The Health Board said medical staff will lead the planning to make sure patients can access care during the work.

The work is expected to be completed by next winter.

A spokesman for the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board said: "We would like to reassure patients, visitors and staff that there is no immediate risk to their safety."

Asbestos is a problem when fibres become airborne and are inhaled, and can lead to life-threatening illness.

In a statement, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board said air quality at the hospital is regularly monitored.