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North Powys Wellbeing Programme business case receives Health Board approval

Proposals for a new state of the art health and care facility in Newtown have today (Thursday, October 22) been backed by Powys Teaching Health Board following approval by the council’s Cabinet earlier this week.

The detailed Programme Business Case sets out a high ambition to improve health and wellbeing services through an innovative Rural Regional Centre and Community Wellbeing Hub for residents across north Powys, a joint programme between the health board and Powys County Council on behalf of the Powys Regional Partnership Board, and will now be forwarded to the Welsh Government.

Carol Shillabeer, Chief Executive and joint sponsor of the programme, added: “The North Powys Wellbeing Programme demonstrates our continued commitment to integrating heath and care services for people in Powys. The multi-agency campus in the heart of Newtown will have a strong focus on wellbeing, and early help and support for children and families. From the Community Wellbeing Hub, our health and social care teams will work closely with third sector organisations in the community to deliver seamless joined up care that is closer to home.

“The Rural Regional Centre will be at the forefront of new innovations in delivering health and care through advances in digital technology in an exciting and truly innovative environment for staff to operate in. The centre also will work with our current network of community hospitals and district general hospitals around our borders to ensure residents receive the right treatment in the right place at the right time in a setting that suits their needs.”

Myfanwy Alexander, Portfolio holder for Adult Social Care and lead Cabinet Member for the programme commented: “Working together with the Health board and many other stakeholder, Powys County Council is delighted to support the innovative programme.   It represents a grass-roots up approach, putting well-being at its heart.  

“An investment on this scale is a great boost to Newtown and we look forward to developing a programme of care and support on this site which will be a model for other parts of Powys as well as an example to all of Wales.”

The Programme Business Case is a significant step forward in bringing health and wellbeing services closer to home and into the local community. The new cutting-edge facilities will be a part of a wider development that will sit alongside a new primary school on the site of the former Ladywell Infants and Hafren Junior School. The intergenerational project will see integrated health and wellbeing services come together in one place, in the heart of Newtown.

The business case also explains in more detail why the multi-agency campus would be suited in Newtown, and the opportunities to work with the voluntary sector and other organisations to improve people’s wellbeing. There is also a draft plan of the development, but this is only a proof of concept to demonstrate the position of the school and playing fields, and that there is enough space for health and wellbeing services.

The Rural Regional Centre will also work with the current network of community hospitals by ensuring people receive the right care at the right time in a place that suits their needs as close to home as possible.

The Programme Business Case is the first ‘milestone’ in the project which is aimed at seeking Welsh Government backing – and capital funding.  Engagement work which has taken place over the past two years will continue throughout this project.

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