New £9.4million hospital unit in Craigavon will bring real benefits to patients - McGimpsey

Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey, has officially opened a new multi-million pound trauma and orthopaedic facility at Craigavon Area Hospital.

The £9.4million Trauma and Orthopaedics Unit is the final phase of a £15million investment project, designed to improve waiting times for fractures and orthopaedic services.

The new unit will provide two new laminar flow theatre suites (one for orthopaedics and one for trauma), a seven-bedded recovery area and a 15-bedded ward which includes seven single en-suite rooms.

Speaking at the opening of the new unit, the Minister said: “This is a superb new facility which will bring real benefits to patients and staff. The new unit provides top class facilities for people in this region who need trauma and orthopaedic services, and will ensure that the health service continues to provide safe, high quality services for the people of the Southern Trust area. It means that patients are able to have their treatment locally, rather than having to travel to Belfast.”

Following the official opening, the Minister toured the new unit and met with staff. He said: “This development is further progress in my drive to modernise the infrastructure of health and social care services. It is yet another example of my determination to put patients first and to ensure a first class health service is available for people in all regions across Northern Ireland.”

Mrs Mairead McAlinden, acting Chief Executive of the Southern Health and Social Care Trust, said: “We are delighted to be opening a new, world class facility for our Trauma and Orthopaedic service. In only two years, we have built up a local fracture service from scratch, and are now moving into ward and theatre accommodation that will provide our patients and staff with the very best environment.

“The two new theatres are setting the standard for future theatre development in Northern Ireland and we are extremely proud of the facilities, and the service, which is now available to our local community.”

Notes to editors:

1. Trauma and orthopaedics is a specialty dealing with injuries, congenital and acquired disorders of the bones, joints and their associated soft tissues. Consultants undertake a range of elective procedures ranging from mending broken bones to joint replacement and amputation.
2. The trauma and orthopaedics service at Craigavon was launched in February 2008. From 4 May 2010 the service will be located in a modern purpose-built unit.
3. The new Trauma and Orthopaedic Unit at Craigavon Area Hospital is part of a £15.2million investment in local fracture services at Craigavon Area Hospital. The Trauma and Orthopaedic Unit cost £9.4million, and an additional £5.8million was invested for much needed infrastructure improvements at the Craigavon Area Hospital.
4. The new unit includes two new laminar flow theatre suites (one for orthopaedics and one for trauma), a seven-bedded recovery area and a 15-bedded ward which is built to the latest infection control standards. The current 20-bedded trauma ward will be retained in its current accommodation. The first patients are due to be admitted early next month.
5. Laminar flow ventilation is used in modern orthopaedic operating theatres to reduce the number of infective organisms present in the air, which may lead to post-operative infection of the wound. This is of particular significance in joint prosthesis surgery (such as knee replacement and hip replacement surgery).
6. The building contractor was Farrans Healthcare and the architect was Milligan Reside Larkin, Newry, in association with P O’Hagan Architects.
7. Press enquiries to DHSSPS press office on 028 9052 0074. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.