GWENT health chiefs will move to a new base at St Cadoc's Hospital in Caerleon as part of a series of staff relocations.

The moves, from Mamhilad and parts of the Llanfrechfa Grange Hospital complex, are intended to save money, and clear the way for a possible start early next year on the site of the proposed Specialist and Critical Care Centre (SCCC).

Aneurin Bevan Health Board's executive team will move from leased accommodation at Mamhilad to the newly vacated School of Nursing at St Cadoc's, it is hoped in December.

A number of staff moves at and from the Llanfrechfa Grange site have been going on too, to vacate buildings there which are on part of the land identified to house the SCCC.

Temporary buildings used while Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr at Ystrad Mynach was being built have been moved to Llanfrechfa Grange to accommodate some of the staff.

Though Llanfrechfa Grange closed as a hospital several years ago, villas that housed patients remain, along with former clinics and other buildings used by health board staff, which occupy part of the site earmarked for the SCCC.

The health board has approved a £934,000 plan to upgrade the School of Nursing at St Cadoc's, which includes IT and telephone system installation and a new base for child health records required as part of the move.

The moves could save more than £176,000 a year, with capital charges and leasing costs making up much of the total, while vacating the buildings at Llanfrechfa Grange will also ease backlog maintenance requirements by more than £350,000.

Hundreds of staff are involved, including almost 300 at Llanfrechfa Grange.

A health report acknowledges there are likely to be car parking and traffic issues due to the St Cadoc's move, with extra spaces and road improvements required.