Ysbyty Calon y Ddraig is the NHS field hospital in Cardiff – Dragon’s Heart, in English. It opened with a capacity of 300 patients on Sunday, April 12, at the Principality Stadium. At full capacity it could hold up to 2,000 beds for patients, making it the UK’s second largest temporary hospital after London Docklands.
Over 200 Mitie employees are already based at the Hospital, with the possibility of ramping up many more depending on clinical advice and spread of the COVID-19 virus. With the tightest time frame to get the Dragon’s Heart Hospital open for patients, Mitie people worked around-the-clock to prepare the site and mobilise 200 employees in five days. They are at work on Mitie cleaning, catering, portering, security and waste management services.
Mitie also provides critical maintenance services for NHS Nightingale London, at the ExCel Centre. This includes seeing that all power, water, heating and lighting is in working order, besides waste management. The FM contractor adds that its employees, such as cleaners, security officers and engineers, are based at hundreds of sites critical to keeping the UK moving – including hospitals, supermarkets, nuclear facilities, transport hubs, government locations, telephony infrastructure, data centres and financial institutions.
Simon Venn, Chief Government & Strategy Officer, Mitie, said: “We are immensely proud to be playing our part in the national effort to tackle Coronavirus and supporting NHS Wales at such a critical time. We all know about, and applaud, the amazing and courageous work undertaken day and night by NHS doctors and nurses to combat the Coronavirus pandemic across the UK. However, there are many other unsung heroes working tirelessly on the frontline in an effort to save lives.
“Thank you to all the Mitie cleaners, security officers, stewards, porters, caterers, housekeepers, engineers and waste management experts who also put others before themselves to turn the tide on this pandemic.
“Rydym yn hynod falch i fod yn cefnogi Cymru – cadwch yn ddiogel bawb.”
