Health Minister visits Bohill House

The Minister for Health, Edwin Poots, today visited Bohill House community-based learning disability facility run by the Priory Group in Coleraine.
~ Wednesday, 11 January 2012

Unveiling a plaque at the new development Minister Poots said: “This is a modern facility, designed to meet the environmental needs of people with complex physical and learning needs. Decisions on where care is provided must always be based on a full assessment of the individual’s needs and must consider the environment in which care is provided.”

Mr Poots added: “I have said on many occasions that the independent sector has a key role in providing health and social care in the future. The report of the recent review of health and social care also recognises an increasing role for that sector.

“As we continue with the programme to resettle the remaining patients from long stay learning disability hospitals I will look to organisations in the independent sector to work with my Department in planning and providing the accommodation and care needed.”

Notes to editors:

1. There are three learning disability hospitals in Northern Ireland, Muckamore Abbey in Antrim, Longstone in Armagh and Lakeview in Londonderry.

2. The Priory Group advises that it is Europe's leading independent provider of acute mental health services, secure and step-down services, specialist education, complex care and neuro-rehabilitation services, working in partnership with the public and independent sectors.

3. Bohill House Learning Disability Unit is situated at 69 Cloyfin Road, Coleraine, BT52 2NY.

4. Media enquiries about this press release to DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 0074, or out of hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.