Work on a long-awaited new Wellbeing Hub in Cardiff has begun following months of planning between Cardiff Council, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and Llanedeyrn Health Centre.
Thanks to a £14 million pound investment from Welsh Government, construction has started on the new Wellbeing Hub @ Maelfa.
The new centre is being built onto the current Council Powerhouse Community Hub so it makes use of the services provided from the Powerhouse with a community café, shared community rooms and an advice area, where health, local authority and third sector groups can provide advice, education and wellbeing services. Having the new Wellbeing Hub and existing Powerhouse Community Hub physically connected and sharing the space integrates both health and community services and provides a multi-functional service for patients, staff and the local community of Llandeyrn, as set out in Cardiff’s Wellbeing Plan.
The new centre, which will also replace the Llanedeyrn Health Centre, will serve patients of Llanedeyrn and Pentwyn from October 2022 when construction is expected to finish. Llan Healthcare will continue to operate from the Llanedeyrn Health Centre and Llanrumney Medical Group while building work is ongoing.
The Hub not only boasts additional clinical space in the form of 15 consulting rooms, six treatment rooms and four interview rooms but it will also house a range of specialised health clinics including support services for children and younger people, antenatal care and counselling.
Abigail Harris, executive director of strategic planning from Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, said: “We’re pleased that work will start imminently on this new development which not only serves the current Llanedeyrn and Pentwyn patients but will hopefully meet the needs of future residents.
“We recognise the need for a modern, fit-for-purpose building to serve the local community that not only provides medical healthcare services but provides an open and welcoming space for wellbeing, physical and social activities. The Hub will host a range health and wellbeing services under one roof so it’s suitable for the public.”
The development supports Welsh Government’s strategy to strengthen and expand the availability of local primary, community and intermediate care services closer to home and out of the hospital, something that is echoed in the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board’s ‘Shaping our Future Wellbeing’ 10 year strategy.
Health Minister Vaughan Gething said: “Our £14 million investment will help improve access to a range of healthcare services closer to home for people living in Llanedeyrn and Pentwyn.
“I welcome the beginning of construction of the Wellbeing Hub @ Maelfa which will help to ensure that Cardiff and Vale University Health Board will continue to support its residents for years to come.”
Cabinet Member for Social Care, Health & Wellbeing, Cllr Susan Elsmore, said: “The Council and UHB are both committed to the integrating and modernising health and community services and facilities for the benefit of Cardiff residents. The Maelfa Wellbeing Hub provides an excellent opportunity to deliver on this commitment and I look forward to seeing their exciting development progress.”
Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, Cllr Lynda Thorne, said: “The Council’s Community Hubs programme has joined-up service provision and partnership working in priority neighbourhoods at its heart so I’m delighted to see these principles being extended further, to enhance services at the Powerhouse and further contribute to the regeneration the Maelfa area for the community.”
As part of the new development, a replacement multi-use games area will be constructed. In addition, there will be free car parking on site with approximately 20 parking spaces and six accessible parking spaces. 40 additional spaces will be made available on the site of the current Llanedeyrn Health Centre site after demolition. The Hub benefits from accessible public transport as part of the redevelopment of the Maelfa shopping centre.
Dr Roger Morris from Llan Healthcare said: “The partners and staff at Llan Healthcare are delighted and really excited about the new Wellbeing Hub in Llanedeyrn. It will provide modern healthcare facilities to address the healthcare needs of the local population, including patients with disabilities.
“The integration with other local services will allow us to enhance the high quality patient care offered by Llan Healthcare. The integrated areas including the Café and community facilities will provide an attractive and welcoming environment for our patients and staff.”
