£20m Cardigan hospital replacement plan is approved

The new centre will replace Cardigan Hospital and the town's existing health centre

A £20m plan to replace Cardigan Hospital with an integrated health centre has been approved by Health Minister Mark Drakeford.

The new facility will include a GP practice and out-of-hours service, specialist clinics, a minor injuries unit and a base for community staff.

Mr Drakeford said it would help to provide care closer to people's homes.

Hywel Dda health board said integrated working would ensure "value for money" and it hoped to start building in 2016.

'Long overdue'

Eirwyn Harries, chair of Cardigan Hospital League of Friends, said it was a "step forward" and hoped the long-discussed new centre would now open in 2019.

Elin Jones, AM for Ceredigion and Plaid Cymru's health spokesperson, said: "People in Cardigan and the surrounding area have waited far too long for a new hospital.

"A major hurdle in this project's development has now been successfully overcome."

Ceredigion's Lib Dem MP Mark Williams said he was "pleased" to hear funding had been released, claiming the new centre was "long overdue".

However, he said it was a "disappointment" that there were still no plans to include any beds.