Network of local centres to transform healthcare

ANEW network of 19 health and care centres across Wales will make a “significant difference” to the treatment people receive locally, a minister has said.

The Welsh Government said its £68m investment would help bring NHS and community services together.

The network is to comprise 11 new hubs and GP centres, as well as eight refurbished clinics and health centres.

“People in the 21st century expect to be treated in modern, advanced healthcare centres that deliver a wide range of services all under one roof,” said Vaughan Gething, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services.

“We’re funding the future of healthcare in Wales and the pipeline of projects I’m announcing will make a significant difference to the care people receive closer to home in their communities.”

Councils, housing associations and the voluntary sector will be involved in the hubs, along with NHS services.

The integrated health and care centres are expected to be delivered across the seven health boards in Wales by 2021.

The new and refurbished health centres and clinics will be based at:

Abertawe Bro Morgannwg: Penclawdd health centre; Murton community clinic, Swansea; Bridgend town centre primary care centre; and Swansea wellness centre;

Aneurin Bevan: Tredegar health and wellbeing centre; Newport East resource centre;

Betsi Cadwaladr: Central Denbighshire clinic/hospital redevelopment and Waunfawr primary care centre, Gwynedd;

Cardiff and Vale: Maelfa Health Centre Hub; Cogan Hub Development and Pentyrch Surgery;

Cwm Taf: Tonypandy health centre; Dewi Sant phase two development and Mountain Ash primary care centre;

Hywel Dda: Aberaeron integrated care centre; Fishguard health centre; Cross Hands integrated care centre;

Powys: Machynlleth – reconfiguration and extension to create a primary and community care hub; Llanfair Caereinion primary care centre.

It is part of a move to get GPs, pharmacists, therapists and social care staff to work more closely together.

The new Swansea wellness centre is being proposed at Paxton Street car park near the Civic Centre. It is understood £10m of Welsh Government money is being set aside for the development.

The 70,000 sq ft building could house services such as speech and language, mental health, dentistry, podiatry as well as GPs.