THERE is still time for local people to register their views on plans for a new hospital.

That's the message from the Caerphilly Local Health Board (LHB) who want the public to put their views forward on the options for the development of a new hospital in the County Borough, before the public consultation period finish on Friday, July 16.

The preferred option that is favoured by the LHB is the development of a 266 bed hospital in a central location, which will replace the existing hospital in the County Borough.

The LHB say that these hospitals have served communities well for the past 50 years but many of these buildings are now unsuitable for 21st century healthcare delivery.

Judith Paget, chief executive of Caerphilly LHB, said: "The new hospital is a major feature of our plans to improve the health of the local population and is a unique opportunity to make a considerable investment in the renewal of hospital buildings and the development of new patient services.

"We would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the public meetings and encourage more people to make their views known.

This is a major opportunity for us to provide hospital service that will serve the local community for the next 40 or 50 years. In order to do this we need support from all interested parties, particularly local people after all, this is something that will affect all residents of the County Borough."

A series of six public meetings about the proposed changes have been held at venues across the County Borough.

People who have been unable to attend these meetings can send their comments and views to the LHB via email on consultation@caerphillylhb.wales.nhs.uk or by post to Colleen Bright, head of planning and corporate services, Caerphilly Local Health Board, Ystrad Mynach Hospital, Caerphilly Road, Ystrad Mynach, CF827XU.

Copies of the consultation documents and outline business case can be downloaded from www.caerphillylhb.wales.nhs.uk or by telephoning 01443 862056.