North Powys Wellbeing Survey

People within North Powys are being asked for their views on early plans for a multi-agency health and wellbeing campus in Newtown.

An online survey has been launched by the North Powys Wellbeing Programme, asking for feedback on early ideas to bring together health and social care, library services, supported housing, shared community space and a health and care academy alongside the planned new school building for Ysgol Calon y Dderwen in the centre of town.

The programme is being led by Powys Teaching Health Board and Powys County Council under the banner of the Powys Regional Partnership Board with the support of the Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations.

Prior to the pandemic, the programme team carried out a lot of engagement to find out what people thought was important to them in terms of maintaining their health and wellbeing. The team listened to that and, as part of that, is now developing its early ideas on how to bring together more services on one site.

Hayley Thomas, the health board’s Director of Planning and Performance, is  a joint-Senior Responsible Officer for the programme (along with the council’s Corporate Director responsible for Social Care, Ali Bulman). Ms  Thomas added: “One of the potential benefits of this programme would be the ability to offer more health diagnostics and treatments within Newtown, which for some people, would reduce the need for them to travel to Shrewsbury, for example.”

Subject to Welsh Government funding being available, it is hoped that the campus would be operating in 2026 although it is anticipated that the new school building would be ready before this date. If developed, the campus project would see further substantial investment in Newtown, following on from the £95m bypass, the proposed replacement for Ysgol Cedewain and Open Newtown’s new riverside venue.

Ms Thomas stressed that the programme is not just about Newtown. “We are looking to establish improvements in care and wellbeing across north Powys. In fact, we have been funding a number of ‘quick-win’ projects, such as supporting digital facilitators to help people attend online medical appointments and  providing resource to improve the ophthalmology and respiratory services across the area.”

Powys County Councillor Myfanwy Alexander is Chair of the Programme’s Oversight Group. She commented: ‘We’re looking to deliver better health for our residents in new ways and we want to work together with individuals and organizations to ensure we steer this exciting project to deliver the maximum benefit for our communities.’

The online survey can be found at www.haveyoursaypowys.wales/early-plans-for-a-multi-agency-wellbeing-campus-in-newtown (or via www.powyswellbeing.wales) and will run until midnight on December 12th.

Paper copies of the survey will shortly be available from council libraries in the north of Powys or by contacting powyswellbeing.north(at)wales.nhs.uk or by ringing 07792 129677.

This survey will not be the last opportunity for people to have their say. Further engagement will be carried out as the programme develops in the coming years.

Where to find us

Llandrindod Wells Office

Unit 30
Ddole Road Industrial Estate
Llandrindod Wells
Powys
LD1 6DF

01597 822 191

Newtown Office

Plas Dolerw
Milford Road
Newtown
Powys
SY16 2EH

01686 626 220

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