 The casualty department at Singleton treats 35,000 a year |
Managers at two Welsh hospitals have claimed they are "almost certain" to be hit by "catastrophic" power failures within months unless action is taken. Singleton and Morriston hospitals serve Swansea and west Wales.
According to documents seen by BBC Wales' Maniffesto programme, managers warn that nearly �9m needs to be spent on upgrading electricity systems.
The Welsh Assembly Government said it was considering proposals. Swansea NHS trust said contingencies were in place.
The warning of "catastrophic" failure was made in a letter written by the trust's chief executive Jane Perrin to the area's local health boards.
Even if the assembly government approves the �9m upgrades, work would not begin until 2006.
 Morriston Hospital has more than 800 beds |
In a statement, the trust said it was continuing "its own �2.3m programme of electrical infrastructure upgrading" and ensuring that "appropriate contingency plans are in place to meet any short term risks posed by peak demands on power".
It went on to say that until work begins on proposed changes, "essential power services to all clinical areas will be maintained by our engineering staff experienced in such operations, with the full back up of detailed contingency planning".
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