Developers are to bid to build a long-awaited new health centre in Llanbradach.
Plaid Cymru ward councillors Colin Mann and Rob Gough, plus Community Council Chair Carol Hopkins, met Aneurin Bevan University Health Board’s Head of Primary Care, Adele Gittoes, to discuss progress on the scheme.
They were told that developers will shortly be invited to tender.
Cllr Mann said: “This was a very positive and constructive meeting and we were told that the health board is now in the final stages before it goes out to tender for the new centre.”
A developer is expected to be chosen by August with the final plans going to the board at Aneurin Bevan in September.
The scheduled date for completion is around October next year.
Cllr Mann added: “It was particularly pleasing to hear that the Aneurin Bevan board is continuing to invest in primary care development, which we very much welcome. I believe, Aneurin Bevan has got its priorities spot on and they should be commended.”
Plans for improved GP services in Llanbradach moved a major step nearer last year with a scheme for the provision of a new health centre successfully passing a key hurdle when the Initial Proposal Document (IPD) was accepted by the health board.
The health centre will provide space for the two existing doctors’ surgeries with provision for more than 5,000 patients.
The scheme has been mooted for more than a decade and the health centre will replace out-of-date surgeries which exist at present.
Campaigners have presented two large petitions from the village and the United Welsh Housing Association has made the former church site available for the development.
Caerphilly AM Jeff Cuthbert welcomed the news and said: “It’s important that people living in Llanbradach are afforded good, quality local healthcare.
“I look forward to the health centre being open in due course to cater for local needs.”