A NEW era is being celebrated in Abergele with the long-awaited opening of the town’s new surgery.
The first patients were treated yesterday (Tuesday) at the facility on North Wales Business Park, bringing to an end the decade-long fight for a new, modern surgery.
Members of the Abergele Surgery Action Group, which played a key role in helping ensure the surgery was built, presented gifts to staff to thank them for their efforts as the group changes to a surgery support group.
Barbara Hopwood, vice-chairman of the action group, said: “We are absolutely delighted to see the surgery open. It has been a very long process that has been a group effort.
“We were determined this would happen and have all worked very hard to get to this stage. We will now become a support group and continue to help make this a successful surgery.”
For the staff, the three-floor premises will provide more consultation, treatment and administration rooms, and there will be spacious entrance areas and waiting facilities for patients.
Dr Jeremy Honeybun, surgery partner, said: “It is exciting to be at the end of a long road and to be moving into facilities fit for the 21st Century.
“These facilities are flexible and this can be much more of a community venue than where we were previously.”
Concerns had been expressed about limited bus access but Clwyd West AM Darren Millar has been involved in talks with companies this week to ensure services will stop outside the new building.
Mr Millar is also looking for a speedy resolution to need for a pharmacy next to the surgery, as patients have to take their prescriptions to chemists in the town centre.