Centre set for a £1.7m investment
NEARLY £2m will be spent on transforming a South Wales health centre in with the merger of its two GP surgeries.
The Welsh Government has announced £1.7m funding to upgrade the centre located in Tonypandy which will see the two GP surgeries join to create one health and care centre.
The Welsh Government says the current building will not accommodate the changes needed to merge both practices and modernise services.
It says that the accommodation is constrained and rooms are small, with just one treatment room, which is also used by the community nursing team.
The investment, the Welsh Government claims, will allow the health board to increase the number of clinical rooms and create secure accommodation and private space for staff and patients.
The money will also be used to improve the infrastructure of the building, with upgrades to water, drainage, electrics, plumbing and heating.
Vaughan Gething, pictured right, the Welsh Government’s cabinet secretary for health and social services, said: “Having two separate GP surgeries within the health centre no longer made sense.
“For one thing, a large amount of space within the building was being duplicated, which meant facilities were cramped for staff and patients, while recruitment of staff for both surgeries was also a challenge.
“Our long-term plan for health and social care in Wales focuses on providing better care, closer to home.
“The refurbishment to Tonypandy Health Centre will do just that.
“I’m pleased we’ve committed £1.7m funding for the centre, which will help improve access to local services for patients.”
Alan Lawrie, director of primary, community and mental health for Cwm Taf University Health Board, said: “We very much welcome this announcement of funding for the Tonypandy Health Centre by the Welsh Government.
“It will provide the GPs, staff and patients with a new, improved primary care environment, which will allow for enhanced services for the population.
“The investment means a wider integrated multidisciplinary team can be accommodated in the refurbished building which will be fit for the future of healthcare in Tonypandy.”
Councillor Andrew Morgan, leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, said: “This is yet another major boost for Tonypandy and will complement the significant improvements that the council is funding to regenerate the town centre, which to date totals over £1m.
“This decision by the Welsh Government will significantly enhance health services for patients by creating a new integrated health and care facility which will deliver 21st century facilities for Tonypandyand surrounding communities. “This significant development is one which the council, alongside local members, has lobbied the health board and Welsh Government to deliver for midRhondda residents.
“I’d like to thank the Welsh Government for today’s announcement, which will deliver another significant boost for Tonypandy.”