MP Luke Hall recently met with the new health secretary in a bid to push for the Thornbury Health Centre project.

The Yate and Thornbury MP met with Victoria Atkins MP to discuss the long-awaited project.

It comes as the government announced funding in October last year to help the NHS develop a business case for new healthcare facilities in Thornbury.

The NHS Integrated Care Board for Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire, which manages health services in the region, was recently granted £1.3 million.

It will allow the care board to submit final details to the Department for Health and Social Care on how they intend to deliver the facility.

Mr Hall says he told Ms Atkins that the remaining preparatory work should be sped up, so the rest of the money can be agreed without delay.

He said: “It’s been a long road, but we are another step closer to delivering a new Thornbury Health Centre.

“I won’t stop fighting until we have secured the health services that our community needs.”

The hospital closed to patients in December 2019 as new facilities were set up at Thornbury Outpatient Clinic for some appointments.

It is hoped that once completed, the centre will allow people to receive healthcare closer to home rather than travelling to Southmead Hospital or Bristol Royal Infirmary.

Other plans for the centre include enhancing outpatient services, mental health support and increasing GP capacity.

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

Ms Atkins was appointed as health secretary in November last year replacing Steve Barclay MP.

The healthcare campaign reached a significant milestone in 2022 when South Gloucestershire Council bought the land of the former Thornbury Hospital site for £3.4 million in 2022.

Mr Hall has previously spoken in Parliament about the health centre project and launched a petition which was submitted to ministers at the health department.