£63million funding boost for Southern Health and Social Care Trust

The Health Minister today completed his announcements on capital funding with plans to invest around £63million over the next three years to improve health and social care services and facilities in the Southern Trust area.

This funding is part of a total planned investment of £315million over the next 10 years for health and social care in the Southern Trust area.

New developments and an upgrade of existing services will take place across a range of primary, secondary and community care areas to bring about major improvements in services to the public.

Speaking as he opened the award-winning Bluestone Unit at Craigavon Area Hospital, Michael McGimpsey said: “A world-class health service needs modern and state-of-the-art facilities. This new mental health facility will provide 74 inpatient beds, all in en-suite rooms together with 20 day hospital places and accommodation for related mental health services.

“The unit will also provide therapy services from an IT suite, fitness gymnasium and activity rooms. This is only part of a major investment in mental health facilities planned over the next ten years. These services will make a real and lasting difference to patients and their families in an area of care which has for too long been neglected and under-funded.”

Commenting on the planned investment of £315million for capital projects in the Southern Trust over the next ten years the Minister said: “I will continue to invest funds where improved health and social care services are most needed, both regionally and for the people in the Southern Trust area.

“Key future projects include further investment in Mental Health and Learning Disability as well as Children’s Services, a new Health and Care Centre in Banbridge and the first phase of a major re-development for Craigavon Area and Daisy Hill Hospitals are also planned.”

The Minister concluded: “Today’s announcement is yet another example of how we are investing in our services. I have worked with all the Health Boards and Trusts to identify their key priorities for the next 10 years. By continuing to invest in our services we are ensuring that we have a first class health and social care service which continues to put patients first.”

Notes to Editors:

1. Over the 10 year period 2008/2009-2017/2018 the Department has been allocated a total capital envelope of almost £3.3billion, against an identified need of £7.8billion. Just over £700million of this is earmarked for the Comprehensive Spending Review period with the balance of just over £2.5billion allocated in the remaining period of the Investment Strategy.
2. All capital expenditure is subject to the normal business case approval process.
3. The Bluestone Mental Health Unit at Craigavon Area Hospital recently won an award for Best Design for a Mental Health Building at the Building Better Healthcare Awards in London.
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