Path to the future (From Barry And District News)

Path to the future

A FOOTPATH will ensure that thousands of Towers Surgery patients will not have to travel too far to get treated by a doctor when the clinic relocates to its new base at Barry Waterfront.

The surgery, which has been at its present spot on Holton Road since the early 1980s, is due to move to Holton Reach by next September or October.

The move is part of the development of a range of amenities for the growing community at Barry's Waterfront.

The new surgery will be twice the size of the Holton Road practice, and although it will be based about a mile from the town centre, a footpath between Dock View Road and the waterfront will eventually halve this distance.

This will make life easier for patients who live in the vicinity of Holton Road, who maybe cannot walk very far or who do not have a car.

The bridge will be built over the railway line, and according to Vale of Glamorgan AM Jane Hutt, negotiations are currently underway between Network Rail and the Vale Council.

Towers Surgery at Holton Reach will be state-of-the-art, with nine generic consultation rooms on ground floor level, as opposed to the current two on the ground floor, with the rest being situated up a flight of stairs.

Practice manager at Towers Surgery Nicola Gilbert said: "The majority of our patients are very happy with the move; we've had a lot of support.

"At the moment, getting to consultation rooms upstairs is a problem for people who, for example, suffer from chest complaints."

And GP Dr Nick Davies said: "We are delighted to be part of this exciting development and look forward to moving to our new premises."

The practice currently treats more than 10,000 patients, and that will inevitably rise when it moves to the site, which is close to 1,000 new properties. An on-site car park will be available to compliment the hi-tech surgery, as will as a pharmacy, waiting area and a designated children's zone.

Byron Lewis, of Associated British Ports and project manager at Waterfront Barry, said: "The confirmation that Towers Surgery will be coming to Waterfront Barry reinforces the continuing success of the development.

"Plans for Holton Reach include a vibrant mix of residential and community facilities and the new GP practice will enhance the amenities there."

Welsh Assembly minister for health and social services Dr Brian Gibbons visited the site of the planned surgery last Thursday.