20/11/2009

Health and Social Services Minister Edwina Hart has officially opened the landmark Port Talbot Primary Care Resource Centre. The massive 62,000 square feet centre, built to look like an ocean going liner, offers a wide range of primary health care facilities, as well as social care and hospital services links.

The one-stop-shop model provides local people with rapid access to the services they need at a single point. The new building provides one of the best facilities of its kind anywhere in the UK, and its nautical design is intended to reflect the maritime history of Port Talbot.

Dr Bruce Ferguson, ABM University Health Board Medical Director, said: “What a wonderful facility right at the centre of our ABM area. While we have got an impressive new building, we now have to use the opportunity it creates to move to more innovative practice, particularly around community, intermediate care and chronic conditions management.

“I know that thinking about better ways to run our services for patients is at the top of our agenda, and the evidence can already be seen with the various clinic and initiatives that are already available to all local people.�

There are four GP practices at the Centre, and a wide range of other services, including:
Learning Disabilities
Mental Health
Youth Advisory Service
Community Dental
Community Integrated Intermediate care
Nutrition and Dietetics
Parkinson’s Nurse
Child Health Clinics
Continence Clinic
Audiology Clinic
A base for District Nurses and Health Visitors
Sure Start team base
COPD base
Walk-in Podiatry/Orthotic and Podiatry Direct
Physiotherapy
Speech and Language Therapy
Older Persons Care Management team

In addition, there is a minor surgery suite, training facilities, health promotion facilities, a Voluntary Sector Resource Room and a cafe.