Health Secretary approves £1.7m funding to upgrade Tonypandy Health Centre

The funding will support the merger of two GP practices in the area to create one new integrated health and care centre, leading to improved services for patients. 

The current building will not accommodate the changes needed to merge both practices and modernise services. The accommodation is constrained and rooms are small, with just one treatment room, which is also used by the community nursing team. 

Today’s investment will allow the Health Board to increase the number of clinical rooms and create secure accommodation and private space for clinical staff and patients. 

The Health Secretary said:

“Having two separate GP surgeries within the health centre no longer made sense. For one thing, a large amount of space within the building was being duplicated, which meant facilities were cramped for staff and patients, while recruitment of staff for both surgeries was also a challenge. 

“Our long-term plan for health and social care in Wales focuses on providing better care, closer to home. The refurbishment  to Tonypandy Health Centre will do just that. I’m pleased we’ve committed £1.7million funding for the Centre, which will help improve access to local services for patients.” 

The funding will also be used to improve the infrastructure of the building, with upgrades to water, drainage, electrics, plumbing and heating, creating a modern building which will serve the community for years to come. 

Alan Lawrie, Director of Primary, Community and Mental Health for Cwm Taf University Health Board, said: 

“We very much welcome this announcement of funding for the Tonypandy Health Centre by the Welsh Government.

“It will provide the GPs, staff and patients with a new improved primary care environment, which will allow for enhanced services for the population.

“The investment means a wider integrated multidisciplinary team can be accommodated in the refurbished building which will be fit for the future of healthcare in Tonypandy.”

Today’s announcement forms part of the biggest targeted investment in primary and community care infrastructure by the Welsh Government. Earlier this year 19 projects were approved to deliver health and care services closer to people’s homes.