Health Minister delivers on his promise to Ballybeen

Health Minister Michael McGimpsey today officially opened the new day care facility for elderly people in the Enler centre, Ballybeen.

The centre will provide 50 day care places for senior citizens in the area and is the health component of a larger £3.3million community development project.

Opening the centre, Mr McGimpsey said: "My department has invested £2million into the Enler Project which will make a tremendous difference to the lives of older people living in the Ballybeen community. The new centre will provide high quality, modern and more accessible facilities for elderly people, especially those with mobility problems."

The day centre offers an improved range of services, including hairdressing, laundry facilities, and health promotional activities such as cookery, chiropody and life skills.

The Minister continued: "Older people need to be supported to live with dignity and safety in their own homes. Day centre services play a very important part in achieving that aim, not only in terms of practical support for the older person, but also in terms of the respite it can provide for carers. That is why I welcome the opportunity to be here today to see this project begin to come to life and meet the needs of older people of Ballybeen."

Notes to editors:

1. The day care centre is part of a larger project for the Enler Centre being managed by Landmark East, BIG, the former SEBT, Castlereagh Borough Council and the NI Housing Executive, over a number of years.

2. The building, expected to be completed in November 2010, will consist of retail units, an elderly day care centre, offices, community space and a recording studio.

3. The day care centre is fully operational and will accommodate up to 50 elderly people from the Belfast Trust area.

4. Press enquiries to DHSSPS press office on 028 9052 2841. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.