KEIR HARDIE HEALTH PARK 15
community dental unit have been specifically designed to be accessible to disabled patients and are the only facilities of their kind in the borough. Mrs Griffiths said: “I am delighted to be able to open this cutting-edge health park, which will bring so many benefits to people living in Merthyr Tydfil. “This new model of integrated health and social care will help address health inequalities and turn the inverse care law on its head. “Cwm Taf Health Board has used the opportunities this development offered to provide a new model of high quality care, meeting the needs of the local population.” Keir Hardie Health Park provides new modern facilities for GP practices previously based in the Hollies Health Centre, for
children’s health services, mental health care and it brings a range of therapies services out of hospital and closer to people’s homes. Plans are now being developed to build a medical school on the health park site to help train the next generation of doctors in Merthyr Tydfil. During construction, more than 90% of the workforce employed on site came from within a 40-mile radius of Merthyr Tydfil. Sir Mansel Aylward,
chair of Public Health Wales, who developed the vision for the health park, said: “My dream has arrived. Thank you.” Dr Jones, chair of Cwm Taf Health Board, added: “Keir Hardie Health Park is a platform to launch a 21st century attack on the inverse care law and uniquely brings together all the elements of health and social care to support people and help them develop healthier lives. “With these opportunities, the future of healthcare for citizens of Merthyr Tydfil borough can be improved and new challenges met. “This has been an aspiration and it’s now becoming an inspiration.” Want to know more about Keir Hardie Health Park, including what services have moved? Click here for more details
More than 60 staff in Cwm Taf Health Board have signed up as Champions for Health, since its launch in October 2012. Full details about the scheme are available on SharePoint. Look out for regular tips and advice about keeping fit and well in the chief executive’s blog and on Twitter (#C4H).
Well done
Girija Teli, a biomedical scientist in microbiology, has been awarded her Masters in Medical Mycology (study of medical fungi). She is the only scientist in Cwm Taf with this qualification.