COWBRIDGE HEALTH CENTRE

Friday, 04 March 2011

ABOVE: Some of the staff at Cowbridge Health Centre, ready and waiting to welcome patients to the new premises: (from left to right) Lesley, Helen, Claire, Carol, Lorraine, and Sandra.

Relocated...Revitalised...Revealed...

THE ten-year wait has been worth it! Cowbridge Health Centre is everything that both patients and local practice staff could have dreamed of.

For years, the Cowbridge and Western Vale Group Practice and the Cowbridge and Vale Medical Practice provided their services in the cramped premises of Old Hall Gardens. But now, the two practices have moved into gleaming, purpose-built premises just beyond the town’s leisure centre, along the Broadshoard.

Dr Janet Taylor said she and her partners felt the opening of the new health centre represented the culmination of many years of searching for a suitable site, and planning the development.

“The new building will provide much more space and incorporates modern facilities, including better access for children and the disabled. There is adequate parking for both staff and patients.

“The improved site will allow us to continue training young doctors and to provide the people of Cowbridge and the Western Vale with the excellent service that they deserve.” Dr Paul Arnold said the move would improve facilities for patients and said: “After a long time at the Old Hall Grounds site, we are all delighted to have moved to our new health centre and look forward to providing our patients with improved healthcare facilities.”

This week, as final touches were being made to the operation of the practices, the two practice managers, Pat Hold and Lindsey Richards, were able to reflect with relief on a successful move, and with optimism for the future. Pat, who has been the local practice manager for the Cowbridge and Western Vale Group for 10 years, said: “The staff put in lots of extra hours round the clock over the last two weeks, including evenings and weekends, to help in the move.

“At our previous premises, we were bursting at the seams. What we are now able to offer is a modern, 21st century service to people. “Lots of time and effort has been spent upgrading the facilities.”

Lindsey, the manager with the Cowbridge and Vale Medical Practice, explained: “We had completely outgrown the old building. It was just not fit for purpose. This is a fabulous building with a lot more space for everyone. “Members of staff all now have a place to call their own, there is storage space and plenty of parking for visiting patients.”

Copyright Tindle Newspapers Ltd Monday, 20 May 2013