PLANS for a new health centre for Aberaeron have been hailed as ‘exciting’ news for the town.

County councillor Elizabeth Evans said it also fulfilled a promise made to the people of Aberaeron almost 20 years ago.

Health secretary Vaughan Gething confirmed the £2.4m centre would be the first project to be approved as part of a £68m investment in creating new integrated health and care centres announced by the Welsh Government in December.

The funding has been awarded to Hywel Dda Health Board for the Minaeron development, to replace the ageing Aberaeron Hospital.

The new hub will bring together Tanyfron Surgery, with community teams and services currently located at Aberaeron Hospital and Felinfach, as well as incorporating the newly formed Porth Gofal, a partnership between the health board and third sector.

Cllr Evans said the news had been greeted with delight.

“A promise was made to this community almost 20 years ago when the cottage hospital closed its beds, that we would have a new health centre in four years,” she added.

“It’s been a long wait with many false starts but the Welsh Government are now delivering on the promise made to us in 1999.”

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