Improved health facilities worth up to £19m planned for Conwy and Llandudno Junction

Improved health facilities which could cost up to £19m have been outlined for two neighbouring communities in north Wales.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has drawn up plans to build new primary and community care facilities for people living in Conwy and Llandudno Junction.

Officials have described the current condition of health facilities being used in the area as “poor”.

It has therefore been proposed that a new health and well-being campus should be created in either Conwy or Llandudno Junction, with one larger and one smaller branch health facility in either community.

A report going to board members later this week shows the plans carry an estimated cost of between £15-19m.

It highlights the number of new housing developments in the area as one of the reasons why improved health facilities are needed.

It states: “Currently, services are delivered from multiple settings in the local area and with varying degrees of collaborative and cohesive working between teams.

“The proposal is influenced by a broad range of factors, including the poor condition of the existing estate and the need to overcome limitations such as access, space and parking.

“Accessible premises, with sufficient space for now and future, in well-located accommodation, carefully designed to meet the health and care needs of local people, will benefit all partners and the communities served, and enhance the locality’s community assets.

“The local authority with its partners has identified Llandudno Junction as a “distinctive community and a key economic hub at the heart of North Wales”.

“Significant housing development has taken place and is planned in the locality: specifically, between 2016 – 2019, 74 large sites were completed in Llandudno Junction comprising at least 10 houses per site and, in Conwy, 20 large sites were completed during 2016-2019.

“The development of new facilities in the area will meet growing demand and offer socio-economic benefits, including employment during the construction, ongoing career and training opportunities in health and care and general investment in the health and well-being for the area.

“Without investment and considered change, services and parts of the estate will be unsustainable, especially when considering modern demands, evolving standards, our learning from COVID-19, best practice, and the needs of a growing and ageing population.”

The preferred option in the report is for the facilities to include co-located primary care services, with clinical and office space.

Staff based there would include district nurses, therapists and social care professionals, with dental and educational facilities also on offer.

The report states: “There are further opportunities for closer working between general medical services and health board-managed primary care services, which could include elements of shared services for the locality e.g. administrative and “back room” functions, or shared access to clinical and enhanced services.

“The Primary Care Academy is supporting this transformation and funding workforce innovations, such as advanced paramedic practitioner posts and the physician’s assistant role, which, combined with a stronger focus on prevention and social prescribing, help release GP time for more complex patients.”

A number of potential sites have been identified for the main facility with the preferred option being a greenfield site at Conwy Council’s Bodlondeb offices in Conwy town centre.

If it moves forward, a branch practice would be required in Llandudno Junction to meet local needs.

Other sites being considered include the old Nant y Coed School, Llandudno Junction Labour Club, Gyffin Surgery and Maes Derw Clinic.

Health board members will be asked to approve the strategic outline case for the new facilities when they meet on Thursday.

It would then be forwarded on to the Welsh Government to decide on with the health board stating the scheme is likely to be “revenue neutral” if capital funding is made available.