Plans for a long-awaited £3 million new state of the art medical centre building in Cardiff have been unveiled following months of work between our development team, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and Whitchurch Road Surgery.
The proposals for the new premises to replace Whitchurch Road Surgery’s existing site have been shared with current patients, local residents and staff ahead of a planning application to Cardiff City Council. Participants have six weeks to share their opinions on the proposed plans by completing an online survey or sending their feedback to the Community Health Council by 16th September 2020.
The scheme would create a new building less than 200m from the surgery’s existing premises off Sachville Avenue, giving the practice team the modern space it needs to care for its growing patient population. The new premises boasts additional consulting rooms, a spacious reception and waiting area, a dedicated treatment area including space for minor surgery and a health kiosk or pharmacy unit. The new site has a dedicated car park and is accessible by public transport from Whitchurch Road.
Dr Gareth Lloyd, Senior Partner, Whitchurch Road Surgery, said: “We’re happy to be working with the Health Board and the developer on providing a building that is fit-for-purpose for our patients. These new premises also allow us to extend our training capacity to support training of future doctors, something that the surgery has always supported as an established training practice.
“We’re asking our patients to take part in the consultation, either online or getting in touch with the South Glamorgan Community Health Council, as we want to make sure their voices are heard and they’re happy with the building that will serve them.”
The surgery is currently located in a three-storey converted terraced house, which was built in the 1800s. It already serves more than 8,000 patients but that number is set to grow to more than 10,000 with local population growth and new housing, so more space for delivering care is vital.
The scheme supports Welsh Government’s strategy to strengthen and expand the availability of local primary, community and intermediate care services closer to home and out of the hospital, something that is echoed in the Health Board’s ‘Shaping our Future Wellbeing’ 10 year strategy.
Anna Kuczynska, Primary, Community and Intermediate Care Clinical Board Director, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, said: “It’s great to provide a more accessible and larger building for our Whitchurch Road Surgery patients as the practice has currently outgrown its existing premises. Whilst the team continues to offer excellent care to patients, these plans should provide the practice and its community with facilities fit for the future of primary care in Cardiff and Vale.
“The Health Board is pleased to have enabled and supported this venture which, if approved, will be funded by Welsh Government. We will continue working in close partnership with all parties throughout the process and will provide updates on our website and social media channels.”
If plans are approved, primary care property specialist Assura PLC would start building work in January 2021. The first patients would use the building in 2022.
Andy Cooper, our Senior Development Manager, said: “Whitchurch Road Surgery has been working towards new premises for a while so we’re delighted to be helping the team to move this project from concept to reality. Most importantly, the new building will be a far more pleasant space for patients and we look forward to hearing their views.”
To take part in the consultation, please visit www.assurawhitchurchroad.com to view the proposals and complete the online survey. Alternatively, please contact the Community Health Council via http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/897/home by 16th September 2020.