Health Minister officially opens Northern Ireland’s newest hospital

Health Minister Michael McGimpsey today praised the dedication and commitment of health care staff at the new Downe Hospital.

Speaking at the official opening the Minister said: "This state of the art facility represents a major advancement in the provision of health care in Downpatrick and the surrounding areas. The people now have an excellent, purpose-built health facility providing high quality, safe and sustainable services.

"The new Downe Hospital opened its doors to patients on 28 June 2009, at a cost of £64million. It provides inpatient services, including mental health and dementia services, a consultant-led emergency department, day procedure unit, outpatients, rehabilitation and maternity services.

The Minister continued: "This new state of the art hospital has already won a number of awards for its design, including a recent award from the Royal Institute of British Architects for Architectural Excellence.

"It has more than 300 people working in it representing a wide range of health care professionals and support workers. I have been deeply impressed by the commitment of staff here and I wish them all the very best as they carry out their work in this magnificent new building."

Chief Executive of the South Eastern HSC Trust Hugh McCaughey said: "We are very proud of this hospital which continues to evolve as an important provider of health care for local people. We are building on the increasing activity and increasing range of services new to this area, including cataract and fracture surgery, new diagnostic procedures and the midwifery led maternity unit. New consultant led sexual health services will come onstream shortly, and I am delighted to announce that bowel screening for the entire population of the South Eastern Trust area will begin in the Downe on 6 August.

Following the official opening the Minister toured the hospital, meeting patients and staff.

Notes to editors:

1. The Downe Hospital is a new-build Enhanced Local Hospital located on the Downshire Campus on the Ardglass Road, Downpatrick. Construction of the hospital began in 2006 and it opened its doors to patients on 28 June 2009. The hospital cost £64million. The contractor was McLaughlin & Harvey and the architect was Ferguson McIlveen/Capita Percy Thomas (London).

2. Over 300 people work in the hospital representing a wide range of health care professionals. At 18,000 square metres the new hospital has almost three times the space of the old Downe Hospital.

3. The hospital has been thoughtfully planned and designed and sits in an environment which presents stunning views, is uplifting to patients and a pleasure for staff to work in.

4. The hospital is equipped with state of the art technologies including X-ray facilities, CT scanning, wireless technology and operating theatres. There are a high number of single bedrooms with ensuite facilities and the interior design is therapeutic through the use of soothing and calming colours.

5. The new hospital has received a number of awards including the William Keown Disability Access Award, Construction in Health Care and HSC Engage Quality award to demonstrate successful working in partnership with stakeholders. It was also awarded the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Award for Architectural Excellence.

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