New health and social care hub set to come to Denbigh
Following recent Cabinet approval, Denbighshire County Council has agreed to sell the authority’s office building in Denbigh to Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, subject to terms being agreed between both parties.
This move will allow the health board to develop a much-needed health and social care hub in the town which will be of significant benefit to the residents of Denbigh and further afield.
Plans for the site are still in development, but the new Hub is likely to include primary care, adult mental health services, a perinatal hub, midwifery service and space for the Community Resource Team.
As well as bringing valuable health and social care services to the town, this new wellbeing hub will offer significant social and economic wellbeing benefits to the area.
Councillor Gwyneth Ellis, Lead Member for Finance, Performance and Strategic Assets at the Council said: “Following an informal tender process a decision has been made to pursue the disposal of the Caledfryn building to the health board, subject to terms being agreed between both parties. It’s great to be able to keep this building in public ownership and even better that it will bring essential services to a local community.
“As part of the Council’s work to identify savings, the decision to close Caledfryn was made in December 2023, and since then, all staff have moved to remaining offices, which has already led to savings for the Council. I’m very much looking forward to seeing a new future for Caledfryn as a hub for the community in Denbigh and the surrounding areas.”
Councillor Elen Heaton, Lead Member for Health and Social Care at Denbighshire County Council said: “There are constant increasing demands on health and social care teams and the work that they carry out in the community is invaluable. This new hub will be a real asset to Denbigh.”
Gareth Evans, BCUHB’s Central IHC director, said: “I’m delighted to now be able to reveal this news, which I believe is extremely positive for people living in and around Denbigh.
“Most of our work takes place in the community, so I believe grabbing the opportunity to move from outdated premises to superior accommodation shows our long-term commitment to providing the services people need, closer to where they live.
“The development would mean we can relocate our teams in Trefeirian and Noddfa, which houses Tîm Dyffryn Clwyd, to better, purpose-built accommodation once adaptations have been made.
“We are acutely aware this means Denbigh Men’s Shed will need to find alternative accommodation. We have made contact with the organisation ahead of this announcement and pledged any practical assistance we can give as they search for an alternative venue.
“We will keep all colleagues, partners and the public updated on the progress of the development. Following Ministerial agreement for Welsh Government to fund the purchase and subject to a successful planning application to Denbighshire County Council, the project is expected to be completed in the next financial year.”
The Local Planning Authority will be seeking to validate the recently submitted planning application and would then undertake a statutory consultation process.