Public consultation date set over Llanelli drug and alcohol service relocation plan
Calls for public consultation in North Dock where the service wants to move to and not at Selwyn Samuel Centre
A public consultation has been announced for people to have their say over plans to relocate a drug and alcohol treatment service from Llanelli town centre to North Dock.
As part of a plan for a health improvement and wellbeing centre in Llanelli the Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service (DDAS) have proposed the move to the former WRW building at Anchor Point (pictured above).
As well as DDAS, the centre's plans include space for Hywel Dda University Health Board’s health improvement and wellbeing public health team, the community drug and alcohol team, services for children and young people's mental health, smoking cessation, and children and adult's psychology.
The consultation session takes place on Tuesday, February 21. between 2pm and 7pm at the Selwyn Samuel Centre, Llanelli.
Members of the public can come along and discuss plans with those involved in the proposals.
While the work of DDAS is recognised as being important, the relocation plan has sparked concern locally and there are calls for a consultation to take place within the Glanymor Ward, where the relocation to North Dock is proposed.
Local health care campaign group Sosppan (Save Our Services Prince Philip Action Network) has written to Hywel Dda to ask that it hold a meeting in the area where the centre is planned to enable as many people from Glanymor have their say.
Sosppan chair John Prosser said: "This has caused a lot of concern with residents in the local area who require answers to the many questions that they have.
"Nobody is questioning the work undertaken by DDAS as an organisation but there is an issue here around the sensitivity of the proposed location.
"Many residents feel it could be better placed to suit the service users with less of an impact on residents."
Mr Prosser added: "Glanymor is one of the most deprived areas in Wales and a number of the residents do not drive or have access to public transport.
"This is an important decision which needs careful consideration from as many people as possible, not only local residents but also for those service users who will use the facility."
Llanelli Town Council has objected to the planned DDAS move to North Dock.
Council leader Cllr David Darkin has called for a meeting with Hywel Dda Barod - which specialises in substance use support for adults and young people - along with other stakeholders to come up with a more suitable venue and location for the centre.
Glanymor Cllr Lillith Fenris said: "While the services provided are sorely needed to help Llanelli tackle long-standing issues of drugs and alcohol, there has been little thought put into the effects of placing this service at the WRW building, that risks the safeguarding of the people requiring this service and those that use the seafront."
Glanymor county councillor Sean Rees has also written to Hywel Dda's chair Maria Battle, Barod and the Community Health Council calling for public consultation within the local North Dock and Glanymor area.
Joanna Dainton, head of health improvement and wellbeing - public health at Hywel Dda, said: “The securing of this property would enable the provision of enhanced and innovative treatment and prevention interventions, reduce death, improve health and wellbeing, reduce crime and improve community safety.
"The health board and partners have explored other potential locations but has established Anchor Point as the most suitable property for development.
"A new health improvement and wellbeing centre in Llanelli is essential to the health board’s strategy from shifting services from treating illness, to promoting and supporting wellness, working with partners, communities, patients and public to enable our community to enjoy a healthy lifestyle and tackle the leading causes of preventable ill health and early death.
"Smoking, alcohol, and drug misuse are amongst the leading causes of preventable ill health and early death and tackling these issues are strategic priorities for the health board and members of the area planning board.
“Similarly improving the resilience of children and young people who have had adverse experiences will ensure improved health and wellbeing outcomes for future generations.
"We understand the local community to Anchor Point may wish to learn more about our proposal and the services it will deliver.
"We look forward to discussing our plans with the community at the drop-in session and we encourage everyone who may be interested in understanding more to attend.”
Hywel Dda was asked about the possibility of holding a consultation in the North Dock area but did not address the question.
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