Cardigan health project is making progress
Hywel Dda Health Board’s Cardigan Stakeholder meeting was well attended by representatives from the health board, county council, social services, the League of Friends and many more from the local and wider community who were updated by the health board on its vision for community hospitals in the future.
The health board’s Cardigan development was again described as its flagship development and it was made clear that the design of this service has the potential to be the model for future community services.
Assurances were also provided that the health board is committed to providing beds and informed the group that prior to the development of a full outline business case for Welsh Government consideration, an option appraisal process will take place to determine the best use of beds, how many and where these should be allocated for the benefit of the whole community.
It was also acknowledged by the health board that the project’s progress was slower than initially planned. The Outline Business Case was originally due to be submitted to Welsh Government in 2013. It is the health board’s desire to ensure the option appraisal process is conducted swiftly to enable the six to seven month development of the Outline Business Case to start in early 2014.
Gill Davies, Interim Ceredigion County Director said: “This is an exciting project providing the health board and partners with a real opportunity to shape local services and lead the way for the development of community hospitals in the future.
“I am pleased that the group could view some initial design ideas and concepts produced by appointed architects Keppie Design as to how the building may possibly look. I hope this meeting has provided reassurance that a significant amount of work is taking place to ensure the service we develop and build in Cardigan is the service it needs to be.”
The health board’s aim is to ensure maximum integration, increased community services and access to beds providing care for those with a wide spectrum of needs. It is likely that such a model will provide realistic options to hospital care.
Work is currently ongoing to develop the Community Service model across Ceredigion with the aim to increase the range of services available to the population of Ceredigion.
The health board’s Cardigan development was again described as its flagship development and it was made clear that the design of this service has the potential to be the model for future community services.
Assurances were also provided that the health board is committed to providing beds and informed the group that prior to the development of a full outline business case for Welsh Government consideration, an option appraisal process will take place to determine the best use of beds, how many and where these should be allocated for the benefit of the whole community.
It was also acknowledged by the health board that the project’s progress was slower than initially planned. The Outline Business Case was originally due to be submitted to Welsh Government in 2013. It is the health board’s desire to ensure the option appraisal process is conducted swiftly to enable the six to seven month development of the Outline Business Case to start in early 2014.
Gill Davies, Interim Ceredigion County Director said: “This is an exciting project providing the health board and partners with a real opportunity to shape local services and lead the way for the development of community hospitals in the future.
“I am pleased that the group could view some initial design ideas and concepts produced by appointed architects Keppie Design as to how the building may possibly look. I hope this meeting has provided reassurance that a significant amount of work is taking place to ensure the service we develop and build in Cardigan is the service it needs to be.”
The health board’s aim is to ensure maximum integration, increased community services and access to beds providing care for those with a wide spectrum of needs. It is likely that such a model will provide realistic options to hospital care.
Work is currently ongoing to develop the Community Service model across Ceredigion with the aim to increase the range of services available to the population of Ceredigion.
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