Blaenavon super surgery build set for spring (From South Wales Argus)

Blaenavon super surgery build set for spring

7:10pm Friday 1st February 2013 in News

WORK on a Primary Care Resource Centre (PCRC) in Blaenavon is due to start in spring, having been delayed since 2010.

The PCRC will be made up of a new doctor’s surgery, pharmacy, dentist, physiotherapy, chiropodist, therapeutic wellbeing and prevention services, child health and prenatal clinics, long-term condition management, screening services and space for patient groups.

It will also house a wide range of community services such as Council Customer Care, access to the police, and community safety and a range of advocacy services such as tax and union advice.

The Blaenavon PCRC is an innovative public sector collaboration between Torfaen council and Aneurin Bevan Health Board (ABHB) to deliver high-quality, joined-up services to the Blaenavon area.

LSP Developments Ltd will be constructing the PCRC for Assura Medical Centres Ltd. It in turn will grant leases to Blaenavon GPs, ABHB and the council.

Torfaen’s deputy chief executive Peter Durkin told cabinet members last week that the council is now in a position for the Primary Care Resource Centre to start in spring.

He said: “The centre will offer a great service to the people of Blaenavon and surrounding areas.

“The delay for the project arose out of a lack of provision, which meant we only partdelivered on our commitment.”

The centre was due to open in May 2010, after the council agreed to support the development of an integrated community campus in Blaenavon.

The agreement has already seen the construction of the Blaenavon Heritage VC School with 130 nursery places and 450 primary places, plus community leisure provision.

Now the construction of the PCRC will ensure the agreement is completely fulfilled.

A revenue budget provision is required to meet the cost of the council’s participation, but the cost to the council and ABHB may be reduced by a successful application to the Welsh Government Regional Collaboration Fund.

The net annual cost to the council will be up to £120,000, with most arising from the lease, facilities management and utility charges for the use of the building. It will impact on the council from the start of the 2014/15 financial year.

A Torfaen council spokesman said: “The new Blaenavon VC Heritage School opened in 2012, providing a first-class learning environment for children and modern community leisure facilities for residents.

“The council has done its best to assist Aneurin Bevan Health Board in delivering the Primary Care Resource Centre and welcomes the latest developments.