MULTI-million pound proposals for a new community hospital for Blaenau Gwent will soon be sent to the National Assembly for Wales for approval.

The project, several years in the planning, would provide a huge shot in the arm for an area with some of the worst health problems in the United Kingdom.

The site and size of the hospital are yet to be determined, but it would house inpatient and outpatient facilities, a minor injuries unit, a therapies unit including provision for treating speech difficulties, and diagnostic facilities with X-ray equipment.

It may also include services for treating adult mental health problems. A number of options are being considered and the one preferred by Gwent Health Authority will be presented to the public by Blaenau Gwent's Local Health Group (LHG) through a series of summer meetings. If everything goes to plan, building could begin during 2005.

"It is envisaged the hospital will be sited in central Blaenau Gwent. It must be accessible to the majority of the population," said Blae-nau Gwent LHG general manager Sue Evans.

"We are building for our children and our children's children, so we need to be responsible about this project.

"Why can't Blaenau Gwent have the facilities enjoyed elsewhere in Wales? We have high health needs in Blaenau Gwent and require services to meet those needs."

Details are not yet in the public arena, but the plans may spell closure for at least one of the area's existing community hospitals - Tredegar, Ebbw Vale, Blaina and Aberbeeg. However, Mrs Evans said the new hospital would at least maintain current service levels, and probably improve on them.

Another Blaenau Gwent hospital, Ysbyty'r Tri'Chwm in Ebbw Vale, was opened only six years ago and is not in line for closure. It provides inpatient and day hospital services for mental health patients.

The new hospital may be sited near Ysbyty'r Tri'Chwm, though two other sites are in the running, Rhyd-y-Blew, and Plateau C at the Garden Festival Wales site. Blaenau Gwent AM Peter Law welcomed the plans.

"This is going to be a £12 million project and the proposals will go from the LHG to health minister Jane Hutt in the next month," he said.

"This is something I'm looking forward to being announced because we need a new facility very badly," he said.