Wellbeing hub could be open by 2028

The saga of the health and wellbeing centre planned for Newtown continues with officials saying it could be open by 2028.

The centre would be part of the wider North Powys Wellbeing programme.

However, discussions about it have no drawn out over several years.

The programme issued a statement today which said a new funding application was being made towards the multi-million centre which will be built on land in the Town Hall grounds and will also include a school building.

The new development is part of the North Powys Wellbeing Programme. It would replace several outdated facilities in the town, so that future services can be provided in a more joined up and cost-effective way in one location.
 
The state of the art new facilities at the town centre site in Newtown would include:

a women’s health hub
services for children and young people
mental health provision for children and adults
clinic space for primary and community care services
bookable spaces for a range of community led wellbeing activities
a one-stop shop to receive information on healthy living
training facilities for the future health, care and social care workforce
housing advice and support, including for people who are homeless
replacement facilities for the Montgomery County Infirmary
an expanded range of diagnostic and treatment services.
 
The statement said: "The Programme aims to deliver this innovative scheme in three phases.
 
"Phase One would provide new accommodation for a range of services currently provided in multiple locations across the town including Park Street Clinic and Ynys Y Plant. A funding bid for the first phase has now been submitted. If successful, work can commence later in 2025.
 
"Further funding bids are being developed for the next two phases. Phase Two would provide replace facilities for the services provided at Montgomeryshire County Infirmary in Newtown, and Phase Three would expand the range of diagnostic and treatment services available in North Powys and reduce the need to travel to acute hospitals outside the county for some treatments."
 
Hayley Thomas, Chief Executive of Powys Teaching Health Board said: “This is a very important step forward in our shared committed to deliver services in ways that will meet future needs and that remain affordable to the public purse. We will continue to work closely with Powys County Council and with Welsh Government in the months ahead, and if our funding bid is successful then work could start later this year.
 
“Taking a phased approach to this programme will help us deliver our ambitions for local health and wellbeing whilst recognising the pressures on public sector capital funding. The health board and the council remain firmly focused on securing commitment from Welsh Government for all three phases.”
 
The statement added: "Plans for a replacement school for Ysgol Calon y Dderwen on the campus are also progressing well. The design work for a replacement school building for Ysgol Calon y Dderwen will now re-commence following the Council's decision to bring the school and Treowen CP School together.  

"This will mean that the size of the new building will need to increase and the design work will take that into account."
 
Councillor Sian Cox, Cabinet Member for a Caring Powys, Powys County Council: “I do hope that we will be able to take Phase One of the Wellbeing Programme forward.  Wellbeing means different things to different people but usually includes health, and being connected to the people and services that matter to us. 

"The Wellbeing Programme would provide those services, and the modern facilities to deliver them from. At a time when a shrinking working age population is affecting health and care provision, those facilities would also help us to attract, recruit and train our future health and care workforce.
 
“I believe in involving people in designing the services they need. If our funding bid is successful, we will launch the next phase of community engagement in the unfolding programme. If you’d like to be involved, please do sign up for updates.”
 
More information about how to sign up and get involved is available from the North Powys Wellbeing Programme website at www.powyswellbeing.wales. A programme of community events is also expected later this year, subject to the decision on the funding bid.