I am pleased to note that plans for a new primary care facility in Lydney have recently reached their next stage.
Severnbank Surgery and Lydney Health Centre are currently developing a business case with a third-party developer to co-locate both practices at the former Co-op site in Lydney Town Centre to provide general medical services for around 15,000 patients, with expansion space for a further 4,000 patients if needed, in the future.
NHS Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (ICB) has identified the development of this facility as a key priority and has now agreed on a financial and commercial framework with the developer. This means the Practices can now finalise the outstanding business case and submit this to the ICB for formal consideration. It is anticipated the business case will be submitted no later than early April 2024 and will be formally considered on the 6th June 2024.
Subject to final approval being granted in June, the developer’s current plan is that building work will commence in the early part of 2025 with the building open the following year.
Conservatives in Lydney thoroughly welcome this news, as explained by Cllr Alan Preest: “As many will know I have been campaigning for more local health care facilities in Lydney for a very long time. I am pleased that we are now one step closer to the opening of this facility and I will continue to push the NHS to deliver this as soon as possible.”
This work builds on the increase in primary care we have seen across the constituency during my time as the Forest’s MP. For example, in 2020, I welcomed the opening of the new Cinderford Medical Centre on Valley Road, which houses both Dockham Surgery and Forest Health Care. In addition, planning permission had been granted for a new Medical Centre in Coleford which would see the merger of Coleford Family Doctors and the Brunston and Lydbrook Practice and will bring much-needed, modern and spacious healthcare facilities to Coleford.