New health centre finally set to open its doors to patients

A long-awaited health centre in Llanbradach will open its doors to patients for the first time on Monday, August 2.

It marks the end of a more than 20-year campaign led by Plaid Cymru ward councillors, the Llanbradach Partnership and the community generally.

A low-key ‘unofficial’ event was held on July 23 to mark the completion of the new Llanbradach Centre for Health. It was attended by Judith Paget, Chief Executive of Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB), other health board representatives, GP practices, the developers, together with Llanbradach ward councillors Colin Mann and Rob Gough and Carol Hopkins of the Llanbradach Partnership.

“The completion of the building marks a long and often tortuous process going back to the turn of the century over 20 years ago”, said Cllr Mann.

“There were times when we wondered if we would see a successful completion. We are extremely grateful for the support we have received throughout the process from Judith Paget, Chief Executive of ABUHB. Judith has been instrumental in getting this project completed.

“Apollo, together with Jehu, has built a top-class facility. The centre will provide state of the art services, including the facility for minor operations and the opportunity to train medical students in the village.”

Cllr Gough said: “It was a wonderful surprise to see two large-scale freehand drawings of the All Saints’ church which formerly stood on the site”.  The drawings were done by Emily, daughter of Rob James, from Apollo.  They provide a significant link to the history of the site.”

Carol Hopkins, who chaired the Llanbradach partnership for several years, said: “It is great to see this project come to fruition after so many years.  I am sure that these new premises will make a huge difference to both GP practices and their patients and is a wonderful modern health centre for the residents of Llanbradach”.