Both my partners and I are excited at the prospect of moving into a building designed for the 21st Century. This facility will allow us to provide medical care of the highest standard, not only to the patients of Barry but also Wenvoe and Rhoose. We would like to thank the Council, particularly our local ward councillors for their support in this venture, and Matrix and Harris Cooper Walsh for their guidance and expert help.”

The new primary care facility will house 12 consulting rooms, 3 treatment rooms, a minor operations suite, a health promotion room plus space for district nurses, midwives and health visitors, and accommodation for administration and staff. The project forms a key “spoke” in the Vale of Glamorgan Local Health Board’s Integrated Healthcare Estate Strategy for primary care premises, and Abigail Harris, Chief Executive of the LHB commented, “The LHB is pleased to support the development of this facility. The move to the new purpose-built surgery shows our commitment to ensuring that the excellent services already provided by Drs Weatherup, Williams, Nourish and Kuczynska can be maintained and enhanced for the benefit of Barry patients.”

The project has been undertaken in partnership with the Vale of Glamorgan Council who made the 1.2 acre site available through a ground lease. The Leader of the Council, Councillor Jeffrey James, added, “This is a major investment in the healthcare of the people in Barry. This state of the art centre will provide first class facilities and the Vale Council is pleased to have been able to help this happen.”

The Vale of Glamorgan Assembly Member, Jane Hutt, said “I was delighted to attend the turf cutting ceremony to mark the start of the building work for this new medical centre in North Barry. This new GP surgery will house a wide range of health care services and I am delighted that this will play a key part in the Welsh Assembly Government’s plans for a modern primary health care service.”

The development is being undertaken by specialist medical centre developers, Matrix Medical, which has to date completed other medical schemes in Pontypool, Caerphilly and Bargoed with a further six projects in the pipeline in Wales. Alistair Blacklaws, the Director responsible for the project commented, “We have been very encouraged by the forward thinking of the GPs, the LHB and the Welsh Assembly. I would also like to acknowledge the valued assistance of the Council in making the land available.”

The main contractor is Bridgend based Jehu Construction, and Matrix Medical were represented by Hammonds Solicitors, and the doctors by Harris Cooper Walsh. The building is scheduled for completion in July 2007.