IMPROVED public transport to the former Blaenavon leisure centre site is essential if it is to house a new health and social care centre, says a patients' watchdog.

The site is favourite to house such centre, providing expanded GP services, a pharmacy, dental, therapy and screening services, child health clinics, and other services, as part of modernisation plans for healthcare in north Torfaen.

But public consultation on the proposals raised concerns over public transport that Gwent Community Health Council (CHC) says must be addressed.

The CHC also wants Torfaen Local Health Board (LHB) to make a specific announcement on what, if any, minor injuries services will be available to the area's patients.

The controversial demolition of the town's storm-damaged leisure centre late last year, despite a sustained campaign of opposition, gives any proposed site redevelopment a "negative resonance", according to the CHC response to proposals for the future of health, social care and housing services in north Torfaen.

But the report, written by CHC public involvement officer David Kenny, stresses a need to look forward, with centre plans offering "an improved environment both for patients and health professionals, with the opportunity to provide enhanced services.

But he warns: "People have rightly raised the issue of accessibility to the former leisure centre site and in particular, the fact it is not on a current bus route.

"We (the CHC) believe that if this site is going to be effective in providing the range of services now envisaged, this is an essential requirement."

Torfaen LHB is being recommended to work with the county borough council on improving access, especially public transport.

Proposals also include closing Blaenavon Health Care Unit, which currently hosts minor injuries services. But the consultation document does not mention their reprovision at the new centre.

"Torfaen LHB needs to be quite clear and specific as to what, if anything, will be available within the local community in terms of a minor injuries service," states Mr Kenny's report.