A CALL to open a multi-million combined NHS health centre has been made to the highest levels of government.

A debate was held last week in the House of Commons focusing entirely on the redevelopment of Thornbury Health Centre.

Organised by MP Luke Hall, the 30-minute debate last Wednesday, July 5 called for South Gloucestershire to receive vital investment to improve health services.

The £13.3 million bid - which is still under consideration by the government - seeks to enhance services and relieve pressure at Southmead Hospital and Bristol Royal Infirmary.

If approved, it is hoped that the new facilities will allow people in Thornbury and Alveston to receive the care they require closer to home, rather than having to travel to Bristol.

However, there have been several unsuccessful attempts to upgrade the site over the past 30 years.

Mr Hall also met with Health Secretary Steve Barclay last Monday, July 3 to discuss the timetable for a government decision on the multi-million bid

Gazette Series: Thornbury Health Centre

"It has been a difficult and frustrating journey at times"

Mr Hall said in his debate: "South Gloucestershire is a growing community.

"If we are to meet the growing demand for health services in the years ahead, it is vital that capacity in our local health service is extended.

"People who live in Thornbury, Olveston, Tytherington, Tockington, Alveston and all the surrounding towns and villages have been crying out for the upgraded health centre for many years.

"It has been a difficult and frustrating journey at times, because we have had a number of false dawns there were consultations in 2010 and 2013 but support remains extremely strong.

"It is important to the community that we get this delivered, and the clinical need to deliver it grows week by week and month by month.

"This project is ready to go if the department is willing to get behind it.

"We need a response to our bid so that work can finally get under way to deliver on a project that we all want to see.

"It is time for the redevelopment of Thornbury Health Centre to really get moving, so that we can deliver the high-quality, local public health services that South Gloucestershire is keen to see."

Plans for the Thornbury site could include a base for GP surgeries, improved mental health support, and assistance for older people receiving care at home.

The hospital closed to patients in December 2019, as new facilities were set up at the St Mary's Centre, known as Thornbury Outpatient Clinic.

Mr Hall also revealed during the debate that over 2,000 constituents responded to a survey he recently launched to demonstrate the demand for improved health services.

In addition, Mr Hall said that officials from the Department of Health and Social Care are due to meet with NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire in the next few days.

They are expected to talk about how to best deliver an upgraded health centre using modern construction methods.

The debate took place at 4pm on Wednesday, July 5 at Westminster Hall.

You can read the full debate transcript here - https://tinyurl.com/3dmn7tsf