New plans have been revealed to revamp Thornbury Health Centre.
A bid for £13.3million has been submitted to upgrade the centre, offering fresh hope following years of setbacks - most recently when a £10million bid was turned down by the Department of Health and Social Care in December 2018.
A redeveloped Thornbury Hospital site would provide greater primary care and outpatient services, enhanced mental health support, an integrated facility housing Thornbury GP practices, social care and NHS beds and a ‘frailty hub’ focussing on the elderly receiving care in their own homes.
It is hoped the new facility will relieve pressure on Southmead Hospital by allowing residents in Thornbury, Yate and surrounding towns and villages to access the care they need closer to home.
A meeting was held on Wednesday with Thornbury and Yate MP Luke Hall, Minister of State for Health Ed Argar, and representatives from South Gloucestershire Council, North Bristol NHS Trust, Bristol North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (BNSSGCCG), Sirona Care and Health, NHS England and Improvement (NHSEI) all in attendance.
It comes after Mr Hall asked the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock to intervene, and he pledged national support to help deliver the new health centre and asked NHSEI to work on the project alongside local health groups.
If the bid is successful the project will progress to Stage 2, the master planning and outline business case, followed by Stage 3, the full business case completion.
The new health centre could be delivered as early as 2024.
Meanwhile, work is continuing with South Gloucestershire Council and North Bristol NHS Trust to agree the sale price of the land.
Mr Hall said; “Thornbury has been waiting for this. It is vital that we get the new health centre built as soon as possible, so that our community can receive medical care close to home and without having to travel to Bristol.
“It is vital we get this built to serve our growing community.”
Cllr Toby Savage, leader of South Gloucestershire Council, said: “I am pleased by the positive discussion around the future of primary healthcare provision in Thornbury and am grateful to Luke for inviting the Minister to offer an insight on our vision for the health centre and hospital sites.
“It remains vital that we continue to take a creative approach to solving this longstanding issue and are committed to working with the NHS to achieve our goal.
David Jarrett, area director for BNSSGCCG, said: “We are grateful to have had a supportive and productive conversation about Thornbury Health Centre with Luke Hall and the Minister today.
“We await the outcome of the Department of Health and Social Care review, and look forward to progressing plans for the site with our partners and the local community.”
Covid-19 vaccines are currently being administered at the health centre.
READ MORE: More than 1,100 people given Covid-19 vaccine in Thornbury last week
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