NEW HEALTH CENTRE

Report by Terry Griffiths

The news article in the Evening Post today states that the new health centre for Briton Ferry is to open on Monday next will come as a welcome relief to some patients.
For others I suspect it will be an opportunity to reflect on a missed opportunity.
The old health centre (right) in Hunter Street was well past its sell by date when I was a patient there some years ago but at least,for all its faults it was in the middle of the community with many elderly person flats and houses nearby.
The new centre is near the council offices at the Quays in Baglan which anyone who has no car and has to depend on public transport or,heaven forbid is elderly and attempts to walk knows is lonely and remote especially at this time of year.
The Health Authority had spent at least ten years looking for a suitable site while at the same time an excellent replacement was being bulldozed to the ground in a perfect case of greed over need or desperately poor planning.
I refer of course to the outpatient department at the old Penrhiwtyn hospital site which, unlike the main buildings was relatively new,easily accessible and close to a frequent bus route and well lit main road.
The entire site was flogged off for housing in what was viewed by many as a dreadful decision which placed the needs of the community second to an obvious essential requirement.Shameful.

Ed Note.... Add your comments to Terry's post on our LETTERS PAGE.