Contract signed at last for new Thornbury Health Centre

South Gloucestershire Liberal Democrats are delighted that the contract for the new Thornbury Health Centre was finally signed last night, ending years of delay and securing the future of local healthcare in the town.

The new health centre, to be built on the former Thornbury Hospital site, will provide a brand-new home for Severn View Family Practice and Streamside Surgery, alongside consulting rooms for community health services delivered by Sirona care & health. Government funding has been secured to deliver the project, which will focus on primary care, outpatient care and preventive care – taking pressure off Southmead Hospital and giving Thornbury residents care closer to home.

Delivering the health centre was a flagship pledge in South Gloucestershire Liberal Democrats’ 2023 council election manifesto, which committed to making the project a top priority after years of it being “long-promised” but undelivered. Since taking control of the council, the group has pushed the project through planning approval, business case sign-off and central government funding processes, with delays at each stage outside of local control. Claire Young MP, as former council leader and now MP for Thornbury and Yate, has continued to press for progress at every stage – including raising the long delay directly in the House of Commons, telling MPs that Thornbury residents had been promised a new health facility for more than 20 years while successive proposals fell away.

Responding to the news, Council Leader and Thornbury ward councillor Maggie Tyrrell said:

“This is a fantastic result for Thornbury after years of frustrating delay. Delivering this health centre was a top priority in our 2023 manifesto, and we have kept our foot on the pedal ever since – asking the difficult questions and keeping the pressure on. Last night that work finally paid off with the contract signed. Residents deserve a health centre fit for our town, and we are delighted to have got this over the line. We will be pushing for construction to start as soon as practicable – possibly as soon as the Autumn.”

Claire Young, MP for Thornbury and Yate, said: 

“I am delighted that the long-awaited new Health Centre has now been given the green light. This is a big win for our area, especially in the current financial climate. It will provide modern facilities and more space to provide health services for the growing population of Thornbury. I look forward to seeing spades in the ground soon and the facility opening next year.”