The Board of Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust has agreed to site a new Health and Wellbeing Centre at the top of town and will continue progressing plans for intermediate care.

Today, December 5, the Board approved a recommendation made by The Dartmouth Health and Wellbeing Centre Working Group to site the centre on land next to the park and ride at the top of the Dartmouth.

The new centre will help secure the future delivery of integrated healthcare and a sustainable GP practice for the population of Dartmouth.

Liz Davenport, Chief Executive at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Delivering a Health and Wellbeing Centre for Dartmouth and the surrounding villages that best meets local people’s needs is a key priority for the Trust and the community, and deciding on the preferred location is the first, vital, step towards a new-build.

“We are very grateful to all the local individuals and groups who have shared their views with us and worked together to come to a consensus about the best site for the new centre.

The Dartmouth Health and Wellbeing Centre Working Group evaluated two possible locations for the new-build – a site adjacent to the park and ride at the top of town and the former hospital – against a set of criteria agreed by the group.

Membership of the working group includes the South Devon and Torbay Clinical Commissioning Group, Trust, Devon County Council, Dartmouth Area Healthcare Action Group, Dartmouth Medical Practice, Dartmouth Medical Practice Patient Participation Group, Dartmouth Caring and the League of Friends of Dartmouth and District Healthcare.

At its meeting in November, the working group selected the site adjacent to the park and ride as its preferred option to put forward to the trust. The site, owned by South Hams District Council, is currently a field and is used as an overflow car park.

“There is a long way to go on the project and we, along with our strategic estates partner, will continue to work with the Dartmouth Health and Wellbeing Centre Working Group to progress plans for the new building” added Ms Davenport.

“We want to make sure we develop a building that makes best use of space and brings together all those involved in health and wellbeing – including the Trust, GPs, voluntary groups, pharmacy and others. We aim to have the new-build complete by 2021.

“We know that the issue of bed-based care is still an issue for local people, and we will continue to work with the Dartmouth Health and Wellbeing Centre Working Group, which will include progressing plans for intermediate care.

“I would like to thank local people for their passion and focus in working with us to get to this point. By working in partnership, we create a really powerful driver to improve health and wellbeing.”