Construction work has started on a new £3.3 million health centre in Neath, which will become the home of the Vale of Neath Practice, DR Cecil Jones Pharmacy and Health Board Services. The 17,911 sq ft project is being developed by The Healthcare Property Company Wales, in partnership with the Vale Neath Practice and Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board, and is being supported by the Welsh Government.
The new centre is to be located at former Washery Site at Aberpergwm and will serve Glynneath, Cwmgwrach, Pontneddfechan, Ystradfellte, Rhigos, Resolven, Melincourt, Clyne and Abergarwed.
“All of the GP partners and staff at the Vale of Neath Practice are delighted to witness the witness the commencement of work on the new health centre, which will undoubtedly be a vast improvement to the facilities that we are currently utilising to provide primary care services,” said senior partner, Dr Paul Westwood.
“Our registered patients in the various surrounding local communities have patiently waited more than 13 years for the development to reach this stage but there is a buzz of excitement within the locality as the new health centre ‘dream’ develops into a structural reality which will hopefully be open to our patients in early 2019,” he added.
The building has been designed by architects’ firm Austin-Smith:Lord and will be built by John Weaver Contractors.
“This development will significantly enhance the health offering for the Vale of Neath,” said Paul Stacey, HPC Wales managing director. “Our team has carefully considered the requirements of the surgeries, pharmacy and health board to ensure that we build a facility that is sustainable and flexible for future use. We are delighted that work has started on-site to see this much-needed centre come to fruition.”
HPC Wales is a joint venture between The Healthcare Property Company Ltd and Gaufron Healthcare Ltd of Llandrindod Wells. With more than 30 years’ experience developing healthcare facilities, HPC Wales can handle every aspect of a development from financing and design, through construction and maintenance for the long-term.
