Minister congratulates winners of World Design Awards

Design teams involved in the development of three local health and social care buildings have been congratulated by the Health Minister following their success at the Design & Health International Academy Awards in Singapore.

Knockbreda Health & Care Centre, Belfast and Altnagelvin Area Hospital (South Wing) Londonderry won awards in the International Health Care project category and the Bluestone Unit in Craigavon was awarded in the Mental Health project category.

Speaking at Knockbreda Health and Care Centre at a presentation to honour their achievements, Michael McGimpsey said: “To have three Northern Ireland health sector buildings receive awards in such a prestigious, global event is a fact I am proud and honoured to acknowledge.

“The Design & Health International Academy Awards recognise professional excellence in the research and practice of designing healthy built environments and have a significant influence on the global design and development of humanistic environments that support health, wellbeing and quality of life.

“These awards demonstrate quite clearly how my Department, the Health and Social Care Trusts and their design teams have worked effectively together on health and social care planning and design.

“Northern Ireland has once again demonstrated itself to be a global leader in the design of Health and Social Care facilities”.

Notes to Editors:

1. The three Northern Ireland projects which received these prestigious awards were:

• Knockbreda Health & Care Centre, commissioned by Belfast HSC Trust and designed by Penoyre & Prasad in association with TODD Architects;
• Altnagelvin Area Hospital (South Wing), commissioned by the Western HSC Trust and designed by HLM Architects in association with Hall Black Douglas Architects; and
• Bluestone Unit, Craigavon Area Hospital, commissioned by Southern HSC Trust and designed by David Morley Architects in association with Hall Black Douglas.

2. The awards were made in Singapore in June.

3. Further information on the Design & Health International Academy Awards can be found online

4. Press enquiries to DHSSPS press office on 028 9052 0505. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.