A MULTI-MILLION pound health centre has opened its doors to the public.

The new £3.9m Canolfan Goffa Ffestiniog boasts a range of new services for the community.

The new centre will provide a focal point to access health, social care, third sector and wellbeing services in the area and also supports the Welsh Government’s vision for providing care in the community and closer to people’s homes.

Services at the new health and wellbeing centre, which was constructed by Annwyl Construction, include amongst others, a dementia day service, palliative care, audiology clinic and learning disabilities service.

Despite a long-fought campaign from the Blaenau Ffestiniog Memorial Hospital Defence Committee, the new healthcare facility will not have inpatient beds or X-ray services.

Ffion Johnstone, area director west for Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board, said: “We are delighted to announce that the new Health & Wellbeing Centre, Canolfan Goffa Ffestiniog, opened its doors to the public on Monday.

“It will provide a single point of access to primary care and an extensive range of community health, social care, third sector and well-being services.

“The Primary Care Team has also been enhanced following a number of new appointments which include a second salaried GP, a new health centre and practice manager, a new clinical lead nurse and a new practice nurse.”

An audiology clinic is one of the brand new services available, which will help bring care closer to people’s homes.

Consultant clinical scientist and head of adult audiology, Jane Wild, said: “It is fantastic news that we can now offer this service in Blaenau Ffestiniog.

Read the full story in this week’s Meirionnydd edition of the Cambrian News