Menu
22/06/2006
£5m investment for Northern Board hospitals
The government has today announced that an initial sum of £5 million is to be invested to kick-start the reshaping and modernising of hospital services available to people in the Northern Board area.
Health Minister Paul Goggins said these upfront costs were the beginning of a 10-year investment programme of some £300 million for the area.
Plans for the Antrim Area Hospital include an additional 200 beds and the provision of more local services such as trauma (fractures) and orthopaedics.
Along with the Causeway, the hospitals will continue to provide the majority of elective and emergency inpatient care such as accident and emergency treatment, general medicine, general surgery, obstetrics, gynaecology, ENT and coronary care.
Mid-Ulster and Whiteabbey Hospitals will play a key role in supporting acute services at Antrim Area and Causeway Hospitals, with day surgery, day procedures, diagnostics and outpatient services will continue to be provided locally on these sites.
Inpatient services for the elderly and nurse-led minor injuries services will also be established and diagnostic services will include x-ray, blood tests, barium meal tests, ultrasound, endoscopies, CT scans and ECG.
However, the maternity unit and the 24-hour accident and emergency department at the Mid Ulster is to be closed and Whiteabbey Hospital's accident and emergency department will be closed at 5pm.
Announcing this investment, Paul Goggins said: “This £5 million will help progress this huge development programme in the Northern Board area and will primarily be used to establish design and management teams.
“It will enable the Northern Board to plan for new facilities that are of the highest standard and so help improve and modernise the acute and local health service in the area."
He continued: “Together with my recent announcement within the primary and community sector these investments have the objective of providing a high quality, effective and sustainable hospital service complemented by primary and community care services.”
Referring to the recent public consultation by United Hospitals Trust on proposed changes to services at Mid Ulster and Whiteabbey Hospitals, the Minister said: “I know people in the Mid Ulster and Whiteabbey areas are concerned about the future of their local hospitals.
"I hope today’s announcement will reassure them that Mid Ulster and Whiteabbey Hospitals both have very important futures as Local Hospitals, supporting acute services and providing a range of services to their local communities.”
However a spokeswoman for the Friends of Mid-Ulster group, which is campaigning to save acute services at the Magherafelt hospital, said that the decision to leave such a large community without an A&E unit after 11pm, was wrong.
Martin McGuinness, Sinn Fein MP for Mid Ulster, said that his party would fight to retain services at the local hospital.
(EF/SP)
Health Minister Paul Goggins said these upfront costs were the beginning of a 10-year investment programme of some £300 million for the area.
Plans for the Antrim Area Hospital include an additional 200 beds and the provision of more local services such as trauma (fractures) and orthopaedics.
Along with the Causeway, the hospitals will continue to provide the majority of elective and emergency inpatient care such as accident and emergency treatment, general medicine, general surgery, obstetrics, gynaecology, ENT and coronary care.
Mid-Ulster and Whiteabbey Hospitals will play a key role in supporting acute services at Antrim Area and Causeway Hospitals, with day surgery, day procedures, diagnostics and outpatient services will continue to be provided locally on these sites.
Inpatient services for the elderly and nurse-led minor injuries services will also be established and diagnostic services will include x-ray, blood tests, barium meal tests, ultrasound, endoscopies, CT scans and ECG.
However, the maternity unit and the 24-hour accident and emergency department at the Mid Ulster is to be closed and Whiteabbey Hospital's accident and emergency department will be closed at 5pm.
Announcing this investment, Paul Goggins said: “This £5 million will help progress this huge development programme in the Northern Board area and will primarily be used to establish design and management teams.
“It will enable the Northern Board to plan for new facilities that are of the highest standard and so help improve and modernise the acute and local health service in the area."
He continued: “Together with my recent announcement within the primary and community sector these investments have the objective of providing a high quality, effective and sustainable hospital service complemented by primary and community care services.”
Referring to the recent public consultation by United Hospitals Trust on proposed changes to services at Mid Ulster and Whiteabbey Hospitals, the Minister said: “I know people in the Mid Ulster and Whiteabbey areas are concerned about the future of their local hospitals.
"I hope today’s announcement will reassure them that Mid Ulster and Whiteabbey Hospitals both have very important futures as Local Hospitals, supporting acute services and providing a range of services to their local communities.”
However a spokeswoman for the Friends of Mid-Ulster group, which is campaigning to save acute services at the Magherafelt hospital, said that the decision to leave such a large community without an A&E unit after 11pm, was wrong.
Martin McGuinness, Sinn Fein MP for Mid Ulster, said that his party would fight to retain services at the local hospital.
(EF/SP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
02 October 2024
Health Minister Unveils Hospital Reconfiguration Framework
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has launched a new framework aimed at reconfiguring hospitals across Northern Ireland to create a more sustainable and efficient network of care. The document, titled 'Hospitals – Creating a Network for Better Outcomes', outlines the key principles that will guide the reorganisation of hospital services.
Health Minister Unveils Hospital Reconfiguration Framework
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has launched a new framework aimed at reconfiguring hospitals across Northern Ireland to create a more sustainable and efficient network of care. The document, titled 'Hospitals – Creating a Network for Better Outcomes', outlines the key principles that will guide the reorganisation of hospital services.
22 November 2024
SF Calls For Action On NI Mental Health Services
Sinn Féin has called for more to be done to improve mental health services across the north of Ireland. The party's mental health spokesperson, MLA Órlaithí Flynn, made the call after the release of the Registrar General's 2023 Annual Report which has highlighted an increase in deaths by suicide in 2023.
SF Calls For Action On NI Mental Health Services
Sinn Féin has called for more to be done to improve mental health services across the north of Ireland. The party's mental health spokesperson, MLA Órlaithí Flynn, made the call after the release of the Registrar General's 2023 Annual Report which has highlighted an increase in deaths by suicide in 2023.
05 March 2002
Royal Hospital to probe Fertility Centre’s procedures
The Royal Hospitals Trust in Belfast has revealed they are conducting an internal investigation into technical administration procedures employed by the Regional Fertility Centre.
Royal Hospital to probe Fertility Centre’s procedures
The Royal Hospitals Trust in Belfast has revealed they are conducting an internal investigation into technical administration procedures employed by the Regional Fertility Centre.
20 December 2001
Essential local hospital improvements now possible
Minister for Health and Social Services and Public Safety, Bairbre de Brún has announced that essential equipment in a number of local hospitals will be upgraded or replaced. The Minister unveiled a range of investments for improvements in hospital services and equipment totalling some £4.5 million.
Essential local hospital improvements now possible
Minister for Health and Social Services and Public Safety, Bairbre de Brún has announced that essential equipment in a number of local hospitals will be upgraded or replaced. The Minister unveiled a range of investments for improvements in hospital services and equipment totalling some £4.5 million.
19 May 2003
Hospital modernisation needs further development
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Des Browne has today called on the Chairmen of the four Health and Social Services Boards to develop their local plans for the modernisation of hospital services following his announcement on ‘Developing Better Services’ in February.
Hospital modernisation needs further development
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Des Browne has today called on the Chairmen of the four Health and Social Services Boards to develop their local plans for the modernisation of hospital services following his announcement on ‘Developing Better Services’ in February.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
