A PROPOSED health and wellbeing 'super-surgery' for Tredegar is set to be either a new development on the town's hospital site, or a major upgrade and refurbishment of existing facilities.

A feasibility study has compared both options, with the costs estimated at around £9.5 million for the new-build, and £9.5-11.5m for the refurbishment option.

Both are substantially above the allocated Welsh Government budget of £5m for the project, which received funding approval last autumn.

But an update on the project prepared for board members of Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, states that the Welsh Government has been "formally advised of the capital cost implications", and approval has been given for the development of an outline business case which will provide more details for both options.

Using the Tredegar Hospital site would continue a healthcare link there stretching back more than 100 years.

Tredegar Hospital opened in 1904 and was run by the town's Medical Aid Society, a key inspiration for Aneurin Bevan when he established the NHS in 1948.

It became an NHS hospital then, but closed eight years ago, when services were transferred to the then newly-opened Ysbyty Aneurin Bevan in Ebbw Vale. It is currently boarded up.

The Tredegar health and wellbeing centre is one of two primary care projects in Gwent - the other is for east Newport - to be given priority last autumn by the health board following a review of its primary care estate.

The Welsh Government approved both schemes for funding last autumn, and the health board reported that subject to the provision of successful business cases, they are "to be delivered by 2020-21."

Whether this increasingly tight timescale is met remains to be seen, but what is not in doubt is the fact that such a project for Tredegar is long overdue.

A report for Blaenau Gwent council last autumn described existing GP premises as "outdated", "not fit for purpose", and unsuitable for "multi-professional working", with the sustainability of GP services a "major concern" - this in an area with among the highest levels of deprivation, and some of the worst health problems, in Wales. There are also ongoing problems with the recruitment of GPs.

A 'super-surgery' for the town was first proposed more than 10 years ago - a primary care resource centre to incorporate two GP practices, a pharmacy, outpatient clinics and a base for a range of health and social care staff.

Its planning and development, like that of many similar projects, was postponed by economic downturn and recession, but one of the proposals now under consideration should provide a solution.