One of the biggest challenges for some GP premises is that their age or design can make it more it more difficult to provide easy physical access through the building for people with disabilities. Some older premises – often in converted houses or office units – may use multiple floors but don’t have a lift. Their entrances might involve more difficult pathways or gates. It’s why modern primary care centres are so carefully designed to work for all patients.
In February, we started work on a new primary care centre for Porthcawl. The site is near the town’s only accessible allotment, where a local allotment association had created a plot with ramps, raised beds and level access so that young people and adults with a range of physical and mental health needs can enjoy the pleasures of growing fruit and vegetables.
The missing piece of the puzzle was a disabled toilet for the site. Together with our building contractors, Andrew Scott and LSP Developments, we’ve supported the creation of the toilet in line with our work to expand our Healthy Communities Scheme.
Our head of development, Simon Gould, presented the cheque to Cllr. Norah Clarke, Mayor of Porthcawl and Saulat Abbasi and Steve Griffiths from the allotment committee with many organisations the Wilderness Committee has worked with including Tools for Self-reliance, 1st Porthcawl scouts, Porthcawl Chamber of Trade and staff and service users from the Trinity Care and Support Gardening Club.