DREAMS of a health and wellbeing hub in Camelford are one step closer to becoming a reality, after NHS England awarded the project £750,000.

The announcement has been warmly welcomed by Camelford’s mayor, Rob Rotchell, who is also the Liberal Democrat Cornwall Councillor for the town.

He said: “I’m absolutely astonished. Out of 22 bids that went in for Cornwall, only Camelford and Launceston have been approved.

“The money is not enough to build the whole thing, but it’s a heck of a start, that’s for sure.

“We’re working with Cornwall Council, who have been really helpful in terms of carrying out the land searches and producing all the drawings. Now we will be talking to them about the next phase, the actual build.”

Although the location of the new health and wellbeing hub can not be confirmed yet, there are two viable options.

The first element will be to redevelop the medical centre and dental facilities, and the work can now start on exploring other partnerships.

Cllr Rotchell said: “We have to have a medical centre and we have to have dental provision, that’s part of the deal. We want to encourage other things there as well. Now we’ve got that money that allows us a bit of freedom to engage with other partners.

“It’s a game breaker this. I’ve been working on this project for 12 years and Dan Rogerson, the former North Cornwall MP before me. It’s been a long road but we now know it’s going to happen.”

As well as Camelford, the health and wellbeing hub will serve a larger area, including St Breward, St Teath and Delabole.

Cllr Rotchell said: “It’s going to have a major impact. This has been one of the network group’s priorities. It’s fantastic.”

NHS England chief executive Simon Stevens recently announced a major investment boost to upgrade GP surgeries and local cancer and mental health treatment for patients across the South West of England — including Camelford health and wellbeing hub and Launceston Primary Care Centre.