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Final piece of health village jigsaw in place

Wednesday, 18 January 2012

Health Minister Edwin Poots announcing the £15million pound investment. Photograph: Anne-Marie McAleenan. 03123am

THE health minister was in Banbridge on Thursday morning to announce major investment in concluding the Banbridge Health Village development.
Minister Edwin Poots paid a visit to the development to formally make the announcement of £15 million being put aside to finish off the scheme, which began in 2005.
The possibility had been mooted previously that some of the funding for the scheme could come from private investment, but it has been confirmed that the money will be coming from the Executive.
‘Enabling work' will begin within the next fortnight and is expected to be completed by May, after which it should take two years for the work to be completed, meaning the site should be accommodating patients by the middle of 2014.
The funding will develop the new Health and Care Centre and Day Care Centres on the site and, when completed, will accommodate around 220 staff. Speaking on the site of the Health Village, the DUP Minister said he was pleased to see the scheme being brought closer to its conclusion and was keen to see it completed as soon as possible.
He said: "I was committed to see this happening and I am very glad we have got to this point.
“It's not just to provide good quality buildings, what is important is that we provide a better quality of care for people, a better quality of primary care and a better quality of community care, which will lead to less interventions and less admissions to hospital."
The Health and Care Centre will provide a range of community services, including a full range of Allied Health Professional (AHP) services, a rehabilitation suite, two dental surgeries and children and young people's services.
The Day Care Centre will also have a dedicated wing which can cater for up to 46 patients with learning disabilities, alongside a wing with 20 physical disability places.
“These much needed facilities will replace outdated accommodation and will dramatically improve the provision and delivery of health care and social services in the district.
“The Health and Care and Day Care Centres will complement existing primary care services already provided at the site in the Banbridge Group Surgery and Banbridge Polyclinic, bringing together a range of services in a modern, accessible 'one-stop shop' environment."

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