Health Minister opens Day Surgery Unit at Antrim Area Hospital

Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey today officially opened the new Day Surgery Unit at Antrim Area Hospital.

The unit will deliver a patient-focused service for daycase gynaecology, ear nose and throat (ENT), dental and general surgery.

Speaking after the opening ceremony, the Minister said: “This state-of-the-art facility will provide staff with a high quality work area, fully equipped with modern technology which will facilitate a wide range of day procedures.

“Changes such as these are vital to the modernisation of our health services and to ensuring that the hospital services we provide are of the highest possible quality and are provided in the most modern facilities.

“We must recognise and be able to adapt to advances in medicine and surgery, allowing an increasing number of procedures to be provided as day case rather than as inpatient.”

He added: “Ensuring people are able to have the necessary treatment and be able to return home on the same day will help lessen the anxiety which patients sometimes experience when they have to attend hospital.

“That has significant benefits for the patient, for their families and carers and for the service, allowing us to treat significantly more people within the same resources.”

Notes to editors:

1. The unit includes a reception area and a spacious eight-bedded admission/recovery area.

2. The anaesthetic room provides facilities for both the induction of anaesthetic and minor procedures and has lighting to operating room standards.

3. The unit has 18 staff to deliver a patient-focused service for daycase gynaecology, ear nose and throat (ENT), oral and general surgery.

4. Media enquiries 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.