PLANS to redevelop Thornbury’s health centre and hospital have been welcomed by South Gloucestershire Council after being formally approved by regional health leaders.

The Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) met on Tuesday to discuss plans outlined in a report to redevelop the existing Thornbury Health Centre and hospital site, replacing it with an “enhanced primary and community care hub”.

The new facility, delivered as part of the CCG’s 3Rs programme for rehabilitation services, would feature GP services, mental health provision, outpatient primary care services and a new build 70-to-80-bed nursing home, which would include a dedicated “frailty unit” focusing on the elderly community staying out of hospital, with care in their own home and transport services.

South Gloucestershire Council deputy leader, and former health scrutiny committee chairman, Cllr Toby Savage welcomed the CCG’s comments to “stop going round in circles and get on and deliver”.

“Amen to that,” he said. “What is set out in the report is an exciting opportunity to genuinely integrate health and social care – and in Thornbury’s case to go that one step further and have enhanced GP services/primary care as a key feature of the plans too.

“Having as many services under one roof as possible maximises the opportunity to ensure that patients are getting the right care for them to maximise their independence.

“On average length of stay, some would say it is a herculean aspiration around this based on what we’re currently achieving.

“So I’m pleased to see that the flexible spot purchasing on the Frenchay and Thornbury sites remains part of the plan in case assumptions don’t prove to be accurate.”