Building work starts on town’s new primary healthcare centre
DOCTORS and healthcare officials have come together to mark the start of building work on the new Porthcawl primary care and community services centre.
The centre will provide local GPs and community healthcare services with extra space and modern facilities to meet the needs of residents.
A new centre is much needed because the main Portway Surgery site is too small for the 15,000 patients it cares for and doesn’t offer the accommodation required to deliver modern services.
In addition, the practice has to use premises on South Road, meaning services are split between two sites. The accommodation at South Road, which is shared with community services, also falls far below the standard expected for modern healthcare, said Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board.
A spokeswoman added that none of these buildings could be modernised or expanded, so in 2015 it was agreed to move the practices and community services into a new purpose-built centre on Newton Nottage Road, next to Meadow Lake.
At the event, ABMU chairman Andrew Davies said: “I’m very pleased that following previous difficulties finding an appropriate site, work is now
“Today we are one step closer and I’d like to thank everyone who has contributed to this project so far.
“As the number of patients continues to grow, and healthcare conditions change and develop, it’s vitally important we have the space and facilities to provided appropriate treatment and services as close to the patient’s home as possible.”
The centre, which is due to be completed in spring 2019, is on three bus routes and will have 60 parking spaces, a drop-off point and an ambulance bay.
The centre will be home to community health ser- starting on the new primary care centre.
“Our aim has always been to support our GP colleagues and community staff to provide the best healthcare possible to the residents of Porthcawl. vices including podiatry, speech and language therapy, maternity, screening clinics, smoking cessation support and local third sector support services.
Plus, the extra space will provide room for an on-site pharmacy.
Dr Sharon Guest said: “We’re going from a splitsite, which is inadequate for providing modern healthcare services, to a purpose-built centre with better facilities and room for more services under one roof. This is better not only for patients but staff as well.
“We’re very grateful to our local independent councillors and residents for their ongoing help and support with this project.”