Funding approved to develop full business case for Newtown Wellbeing Hub

Plans for a major health and wellbeing hub serving north Powys have taken a step forward after the Welsh Government approved funding to develop a full business case for the project in Newtown.

Health Minister Jeremy Miles confirmed in the Senedd this week that £2.8 million has been allocated to allow the next phase of planning for the proposed hub, which would include new community hospital facilities and a range of local health services.

The project, often referred to as the North Powys Wellbeing Hub, aims to bring services together in one location and reduce the need for patients to travel long distances for treatment.

Welcoming the announcement, Cllr Glyn Preston, lead Welsh Liberal Democrat candidate for Gwynedd Maldwyn in the upcoming Senedd elections, said the project had been a long running campaign priority.

“This gives us the opportunity to bid for a project that would reduce the need for patients to travel, offer more dental care, support for mental health and training opportunities for local NHS staff,” said Glyn.

“I would like to thank Jane Dodds for securing the funds to move the project forward. Powys Teaching Health Board, working with Lib Dem led Powys Council, has now put together a viable plan which has been accepted by the Welsh Government.”

He added that the proposal had also recently been backed by Powys County Council.

“While some prefer to shout on the sidelines, Liberal Democrat councillors, working with Jane Dodds MS, have secured a commitment to the largest investment in health facilities in Powys since the founding of the NHS,” he said.

Glyn also called on all political parties standing in the upcoming Senedd election to support the project.

“I hope that all parties standing in the Senedd election will now join with me and back Powys Council’s request that they commit to seeing the plans for the wellbeing hub through to completion during the lifetime of the next Welsh Government.”

Confirming the funding, Health Minister Jeremy Miles said the investment would support the development of the detailed plans needed before construction could proceed.

He said the funding would allow partners to prepare the full business case, the next formal step required before Welsh Government approval for a major health infrastructure project.

The proposed hub has been discussed for several years as a way to strengthen healthcare provision in north Powys, where residents often travel significant distances to access hospital services.

Developing the full business case will involve detailed planning around the services the hub will provide, how it will operate, and the final costs of the project.

If approved in later stages, the hub could bring together a range of services including community hospital care, dental services, mental health support and training facilities for NHS staff.

Further decisions on the project will be made once the full business case has been completed and submitted to the Welsh Government.