Building work on an £8 million integrated health and social care centre is almost complete.
The Rhymney Integrated Health and Social Care Centre will host health services from Aneurin Bevan Health Board and Caerphilly County Borough Council.
Works began on the design and construction of the three storey facility site in May 2012. Upon completion the centre will host two GP surgeries, a dental practice, an optician and 12 in-patient beds. The centre will also contain numerous treatment rooms, optometry rooms, a baby clinic, training rooms and mental health and older people facilities.
The new 3900m2 venue will also hold District Nurse offices, children and family facilities and records rooms. It will also be home to the council’s day opportunities centre and a community pharmacy.
David Jenkins, Aneurin Bevan Health Board’s chairman, said: “To have a range of services in one setting gives a very firm foundation for the future delivery of health and social care services. It’s an exciting time for healthcare in Caerphilly County Borough as we are working to expand the range of treatment and care services available locally through the building of modern facilities such as the new hospital and now the resource centre for the North.”
The building is environmentally friendly in its design as well as via the materials used in its construction. The venue incorporates photo voltaic cells, solar panels and a building management system.
Quality robust materials have been used due to the sites location and industrial heritage. Cropped pennant blue stone provide a plinth to the building and promote the use of quality local natural products. Off-white render with a warm accent render has been utilised on the lower ground floor entrance and courtyard. The profiled metal roof and copper effect profiled cladding adds a tactile quality to the building.
The local community has been involved in the project since its inception. The Community Forum, which is made up of local residents, voluntary organisations, councillors and health and social care professionals, have been central in the planning of the project.