REPRESENTATIVES from the local community recently had the opportunity to learn more about plans for a new healthcare service in Cardigan.

The meeting on Thursday, March 20 heard an update on progress in relation to the new integrated care development which will provide a wider range of health and social care services for people of all ages.

People from a number of key groups displayed information about how their services will integrate into this new model of care, including health board staff, the third sector, local authority and partner organisations.

Architects and developers have been appointed and ground investigation work was set to begin on the site last week.

The health board aims to get the scheme moving as quickly as possible, with the outline business case anticipated to be submitted for approval by the Welsh Government at the end of July 2014.

The new build is planned to start in April 2015.

Hywel Dda chairman Chris Martin said: “We are very delighted with the level of enthusiasm and support shown by our stakeholders. The only way to deliver quality services for our population is to do it together and this development in Cardigan involves more joint working than we have ever seen before. There is also a commitment by the developers to utilise local traders and businesses in the development."