Plans have been approved for a £27m health and wellbeing centre based in east Newport. The building will be based in Ringland and will house two existing GP practices, Ringland Medical Practice and Park Surgery, alongside Ringland Dental Surgery.
Aneurin Bevan University Health Board said the centre will bring a range of services for patients together in one place, including general medical services, community pharmacy and community dentistry, community services, social care and charities. In addition to medical services, the community hub at the site aims to bring people together to support wellbeing, reduce loneliness and promote independent living.
The plans were approved by the Welsh Government on Monday, paving the way for the centre to be built. Glyn Jones, interim chief executive of Aneurin Bevan University Heath Board, said: "We are delighted that the Welsh Government has approved this new health and wellbeing centre, which is a perfect example of our ambitions for the transformation of health care delivery across the health board area.
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"Our ongoing Clinical Futures programme commits us to moving care closer to people's homes and this new centre in the Newport East area will enable patients to access a wide range of health and social care services under one roof in the heart of their own community."
Councillor Jane Mudd, leader of Newport City Council, said: "The new centre promises to bring significant benefits to people living in the east of the city and I am delighted the council is working with its partners to bring vital services together in one place, close to the community. I would encourage residents to take the opportunity find out more about the development at the public engagement events as they are the ones who will be using the new centre."
Ceri Doyle, chief executive of Newport City Homes said: "We're delighted that the plans for a new health and wellbeing centre at Ringland have been approved. The centre will be ideally placed for the community as we continue our regeneration of the area, building 158 new homes and relocating Ringland shopping centre. We look forward to transforming the area for current and future generations and working in partnership with Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and Newport City Council will help us deliver the best services for the Ringland community."
Services at the Newport East Health and Wellbeing Centre will include:
- GP services
- Learning disability services
- Dental services
- Memory assessment clinics
- Sexual health services
- Audiology
- Community midwifery
- CAMHS
- Looked after children services
- School nursing
- Flying Start
- Health visitors
- Dieticians
- District nurses
- Speech and language therapy services
- Wellbeing support
- Podiatry services
- Substance misuse services
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Mental health
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening
Available in the community hub next door:
- Citizens Advice Bureau
- Library services and events
- Space for recreation and leisure
- Adult learning classes
- Support for young people aged 11-25
Health Minister Eluned Morgan added: "We are pleased to invest in the Newport East Health and Wellbeing Centre which supports our Programme For Government commitment of developing 50 integrated health and social care hubs across Wales. By offering such a wide range of health and social care services in one place, this centre will help deliver more services to those who need it most, closer to home."
The Gwent Regional Partnership Board led the development of plans for the new centre, with Aneurin Bevan University Health Board working together with Newport City Council, Newport City Homes and other partner organisations. Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, Newport City Council, Newport City Homes will work closely with local residents as the development progresses to seek their views and provide updates to the community.
Two public engagement events will take place on Tuesday, July 19 (Hendre Hall, East Hub, Ringland, 11am-6pm) and Wednesday July, 20 (Rascal Hope Centre, Somerton, 12pm-7pm) to give people an opportunity to find out more information about the development. For more information please visit the Health Board website at https://abuhb.nhs.wales/clinical-futures/developments/newport-east-health-and-wellbeing-centre
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