Renewed efforts are being made to persuade health board chiefs to establish a new health centre in Llanbradach.
Plaid Cymru ward councillors Colin Mann and Rob Gough, former chair of the Llanbradach Partnership Cllr Carol Hopkins, Jeff Cuthbert AM met with the chair and deputy chief executive of the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB) on Friday, May 9.
Also at the meeting were representatives from Caerphilly Council and United Welsh Housing Association.
Residents want the old All Saints’ church site in Llanbradach developed for a medical centre. They argue it is an ideal location as it is on the main road through the village, with bus stops outside and a chemist a short walk away.
Cllr Colin Mann said: “We are very pleased ABUHB has given the Llanbradach scheme a top priority across Gwent but it is the timescale that worries us. We also very much appreciate that ABUHB chair David Jenkins and Judith Paget, deputy chief executive, agreed to a meeting to explore ways of making progress with the health centre plan. The board has a new health centre for Llanbradach in its capital programme but not until 2017/18 and 2018/19. We want to see the scheme brought forward.
“There was a suggestion that the United Welsh could build the health centre and then rent it to the health board. We want to know whether that can be developed faster than the current capital programme proposals.”
Cllr Rob Gough added: “There is a huge demand within the community for a centre and two major petitions have already been raised. Clearly, by including the scheme in the capital programme, the health board accept it is a priority which has the full support of residents.”
If the medical centre is built, it would house two GP practices catering for between 5,000 and 6,000 patients.