Building Our Integrated Health Centre
Fishguard and Goodwick have been waiting years for a modern Integrated Health and Wellbeing Centre. Our existing health centre dates back to 1976, and with growing demand for local healthcare, the need for modern facilities is only getting stronger.
Hywel Dda University Health Board has been developing plans to bring health and care services together, providing more support closer to home and reducing the need for residents to travel elsewhere for appointments and treatment.
But years after the plans were first announced, residents are still waiting for a clear timetable for delivery.
Local campaigners Caleb Churchill and Steve Hughes are calling for answers, and for the plans to become a reality.
What would an Integrated Health and Wellbeing Centre mean for Fishguard?
The proposed centre is intended to bring health and care services together, making it easier for people across north Pembrokeshire to access the support they need.
Depending on the final plans, an integrated centre could offer:
🩺 Better local healthcare – Modern facilities for GP services and other community healthcare professionals.
🤝 Joined-up health and social care – Bringing services together so patients can access more coordinated support.
🏡 More care closer to home – Reducing the need for residents to travel long distances for appointments and treatment.
👵 Support for older and vulnerable residents – Making it easier to access care and support to remain healthy and independent.
💚 A focus on prevention and wellbeing – Helping people access support earlier, before health problems become more serious.
The aim is to create a more accessible, patient-focused service that meets the needs of Fishguard, Goodwick and surrounding communities.
What's happened to the plans?
Hywel Dda University Health Board has been working towards a new Integrated Health and Wellbeing Centre for several years.
In 2022, the Health Board held a public consultation, inviting residents to share their views on the proposed facility and the services they wanted to see.
In March 2023, the Health Board confirmed that plans were moving forward, with the intention of developing a centre in partnership with Pembrokeshire County Council and other local organisations.
But despite this progress, the project has yet to be delivered.
Local campaigner Caleb Churchill raised concerns about the delays with Jane Dodds MS, who wrote to Hywel Dda University Health Board seeking answers.
The response confirmed that a preferred way forward had been identified, but significant hurdles remained, and the Health Board could not provide a timetable for delivery.
Residents deserve to know when these plans will become a reality.
“Plans need to become progress. Our community has waited years for a modern health centre, and residents deserve more than promises. We need a clear location, funding and a realistic timetable to finally deliver the healthcare facilities Fishguard deserves.”
Caleb Churchill, Fishguard and Goodwick Town Councillor
Why does this matter for our community?
Access to good healthcare is particularly important in rural communities, where travelling to appointments can be difficult, expensive and time-consuming.
For residents without their own transport, older people and those with disabilities, travelling further afield for care can create additional challenges.
A modern Integrated Health and Wellbeing Centre could help address these difficulties by bringing more services together locally.
Fishguard already has dedicated healthcare professionals working hard for our community. They deserve facilities that support them, and residents deserve services that meet their needs.
After almost 40 years working in the NHS, I know how important it is for people to receive the right care, close to home. Our community deserves a modern health centre, and we need a clear plan for making it happen.
Steve Hughes, Fishguard and Goodwick Town Mayor
What are we calling for?
The Preseli Liberal Democrat team wants to see real progress towards delivering the Integrated Health and Wellbeing Centre.
We are calling for:
✔️ A clear commitment to delivering the centre – Ensuring the project remains a priority for Hywel Dda University Health Board and the Welsh Government.
✔️ A confirmed location – Giving residents clarity about where the centre will be delivered.
✔️ Funding for the project – Securing the investment needed to turn the proposals into reality.
✔️ A realistic timetable – Setting out when residents can expect the project to progress and when services could become available.
✔️ Continued community involvement – Making sure residents and healthcare professionals have a say in the services and facilities provided.
Our community has waited long enough for clarity. We want to see the plans turned into a deliverable project, with meaningful progress that residents can see.
Help Secure Our Integrated Health Centre
We know that our Integrated Health and Wellbeing Centre in Fishguard is well overdue. It's time we were given a clear commitment to funding, a location and a timetable for delivery so it can finally become reality.