HEALTH and Social Services Minister Mark Drakeford today, Thursday, 24 March, announced the purchase of land for the Cylch Caron Integrated Resource Centre in Tregaron.

The site has been bought with £727,000 of Welsh Government funding.

Prof Drakeford, together with Hywel Dda University Health Board chief executive Steve Moore and Ceredigion County Council leader Cllr Ellen ap Gwynn unveiled a sign at the site to mark the purchase of the land.

The Cylch Caron development will bring together health, housing and social services on one site and will replace the existing Tregaron Community Hospital, Bryntirion residential home and GP surgery.

Prof Drakeford said: "I’m pleased to be able to announce this important step in the development of the new Cylch Caron centre.

"Last year, with Lesley Griffiths, the Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty, I announced £5.8m for the new centre, which will bring important services under one roof, closer to the people who need them.

“By working together and focusing on early intervention, these services will help people to live active, independent lines.”

Cllr Ellen ap Gwynn, leader of Ceredigion County Council and chair of the local service board, said: “This announcement is a key milestone for the Cylch Caron project and we are one step closer to providing high-quality, efficient and sustainable housing, health and social services that serve the rural community of Tregaron and the surrounding areas.

“The development will be more than a building and will facilitate the delivery of the new integrated community care model developed for Ceredigion, resulting in better access to these services for a larger number of clients.”

Chief Executive of Hywel Dda University Health Board, Steve Moore, said: "This is great news for Tregaron. I’m pleased that we have been able to work together with colleagues in Welsh Government and Ceredigion County Council to reach this significant point in the project.

"The development will ensure integrated working to ensure value for money and enable new opportunities to provide services needed for the local population.

"I wish to pay tribute all our stakeholders, including our staff and local authority colleagues for their part in reaching this milestone.”

The centre will house a range of services, including a GP surgery, community pharmacy, outpatient clinics, community nursing services, long-term nursing care and day care.