Funding from the Welsh Government has been announced for a new £23m integrated health and wellbeing village in Bridgend, which will bring healthcare services to the centre of the community.

A new £10.7m health centre will be built as part of the Sunnyside Health and Wellness Village project. The wellness village will encompass general needs and supported housing as well as the healthcare centre and has been supported by funding of £18m from the Welsh Government.

The new healthcare centre, due to be built next spring, will become home to Bridgend Group Practice, as well as bringing together a range of community services promoting physical and mental health, including a wide range of therapy, mental health, sexual health, community dental and pharmacy services. The building will also allow space for multi-disciplinary teams and third sector organisations, facilitating a joint, partnership approach to providing health and wellbeing services.

The health centre will be at the heart of the village which is designed to deliver care closer to home, integrating primary and community services in the town centre.

Sarah Bradley, Assistant Director for Primary Care at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, said:

“We are delighted to be part of this project which will include a new health centre, providing care for over 15,000 patients in the area. The new facility will bring integrated healthcare to the very centre of the community, providing improved access to services which will support patients and the growing population now and into the future”

The new development will connect to the Bridgend Life Centre which incorporates a library, community café, wellness service, sports and recreational facilities including provision of a GP exercise referral service linked to Newbridge Fields.

The new health centre will replace both Ashfield Surgery and Newcastle Surgery, bringing improved facilities to over 15,000 patients in the area. Dr Neil Geraghty, GP at Bridgend Group Practice, said:

“We are very pleased to hear the announcement of funding for the new health and wellbeing village, which will encompass our new surgery building. These fantastic new facilities will enable us to continue to work closely with community and third sector services, helping us to continue to provide all round top class care for our patients.”

The development is a partnership between Welsh Government, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, Bridgend CBC and Linc Cymru Housing Association and will be built on the site of former Council Offices in Bridgend. Work will be completed by WRW Contractors.