£3.95million centre will help children with learning disabilities - McGimpsey

Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said a £3.95million facility will help children with learning disabilities have a better quality of life within their own communities.

The Minister was speaking as he officially opened the new eight-bedded children’s treatment and assessment unit at Iveagh. The unit, which has been operational since April 2010, provides specialist health and social care for children and young people with learning disabilities.

Speaking at the site at Broadway, close to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, Michael McGimpsey said: “This new facility will provide acute specialist treatment and assessment for children and young people with learning disabilities and prevent them having to be admitted to hospital.”

A full range of nursing, social work, speech & language therapy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy, as well as medical & dental staff, is available on a full time or outreach basis. In addition, staff provides an outreach service for schools to ensure children can be maintained at their own school.

Michael McGimpsey said: “This unique facility was planned in consultation with young people in care. It provides the latest in treatment and care in a safe, homely environment. It ensures that children with learning disabilities are assessed and treated in the community.

“This is a key step towards our ultimate goal of ensuring that anyone with a learning disability is promptly and suitably treated in the community and no one remains unnecessarily in hospital.”

Belfast Trust Chairman, Pat McCartan said: "We are very proud of the new facilities in the Iveagh Centre. They provide an ideal environment for children and young people with a learning disability. We wish the centre every success for the future."

As part of his visit, the Minister was given a tour of the facility. He said: “I have been impressed by the beautifully landscaped garden areas which no doubt provide quiet, therapeutic outdoor spaces for the children to enjoy. The calm, child-friendly living areas within the centre offer a welcoming atmosphere for both children and their families.”

The Minister continued: “This facility is another part of investment plans in primary and community care. This is a key element of the health component of the Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland which will bring over £3billion of investment to modernise the infrastructure of our health and social care services.

“At the heart of our modernisation programme is the recognition that we will deliver high quality, safe services which continue to put patients first.”

Notes to editors:

1. The new unit is located at the Iveagh site bordering the grounds of the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.

2. The unit replaces provision of assessment and treatment services for children previously delivered from the Mallow Ward at Muckamore Abbey Hospital, together with a greater level of therapeutic input in line with new services models; increased medical staffing in line with Royal College recommendations; increased speech and language therapy input; provision of new occupational therapy service; and additional dietetics sessions.

3. All capital expenditure is subject to the normal business case approval process.

4. Media queries to DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 0579. Out of office hours queries contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number on 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.