WORK is set to begin in August on the biggest investment in primary care facilities in Monmouthshire in recent years.

A new building for the Trellech branch of the Wye Valley Surgery, costing around £1 million, will usher in a new era of care for the practice’s patients.

The new surgery will boast a floorspace of 473 square metres, containing three consulting rooms, a nurse treatment room, a phlebotomy room, a minor surgery suite, a health promotion meeting room, and the practice dispensary.

There will also be a baby changing and baby feeding room.

The building will be designed to be easy to use for disabled patients and the visually impaired, and will be wheelchair-accessible.

It will also boast an on-site car park for patients, with dedicated spaces for disabled patients, and bicycle bays.

The need for a new surgery for Trellech was identified by health bosses several years ago, and the development was a priority for the former Monmouthshire Local Health Board, and its successor body, Aneurin Bevan Health Board.

A two-doctor partnership that also has a surgery at St Briavels in Gloucestershire, the Wye Valley Practice team also includes a practice manager, two practice nurses and other staff delivering a range of general medical and nursing services.

“We are very excited about our new surgery. This building will give the practice and patients the first-class facility they deserve,” said Dr Rowena Christmas, who works at Trellech with fellow GP and practice partner Dr Jon Jennings.

Subject to building work going to plan, the new surgery will be ready early next spring.