CARDIGAN’s new integrated care centre is nearing completion, according to Hywel Dda Health Board’s county director.

Peter Skitt told members of Ceredigion County Council’s coordination overview and scrutiny committee on Wednesday (May 15) that it had taken some time but partnership working was now happening.

Mr Skitt also told members that work was in the early stages of developing a similar ICC in Llandysul and plans were in the pipeline for Lampeter and Aberystwyth ICC.

“Integration, it’s a very easy thing to say but it takes people and it takes joined up thinking, and a shared outcome, to be able to get where we need to get to,” said Mr Skitt.

Mr Skitt added that delivering integration was “tricky.”

The completion of the £23.8million Cardigan integrated care centre (CICC) is on target for completion in October 2019, and is due to ‘go live’ in December, councillors were told.

“There were some challenges with the site,” said Mr Skitt but access to minor injury, GP practices, x-ray and out-patient clinics will be available.

CICC will also feature community resource teams (CRT), therapies, social care and access to mental health teams.

A second scheme in Ceredigion is also taking place, with Aberearon’s ICC currently being painted and the two year, £3million, refurbishment of a former local authority building is due for completion in August.

It will go live in September, said Mr Skitt, adding “there’s no reason to doubt those dates.”