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Sticking plaster for health centre

Wednesday, 8 February 2012

Rathfriland Health Centre has been described as ‘unfit for purpose’ and ambitious plans were drawn up for a £4.5m replacement (inset)

THE REFURBISHMENT of Rathfriland Health Centre will not derail plans for a purpose-built facility in the town, it has been confirmed.
The Trust says plans for a £4.5 million 'one stop shop' health complex in Rathfriland remain in the pipeline despite the current John Street health centre undergoing a £295,000 refurbishment which was due to have started yesterday (Monday).
The Southern Trust confirmed last week it had tendered works for improvements to Rathfriland Health Centre following a building condition survey carried out last year.
The results of that survey showed that Rathfriland Health Centre came out in the top four of the health centres in the Southern Trust labelled a high priority.
The survey was carried out to check the physical condition of the premises and the investment of £295,000 will address the replacement of flooring, ceilings and windows, disability access works, minor reconfiguration works and general repairs.
Previously the health centre, which was built in 1960, had been described as "unfit for purpose".
“The Southern Trust can confirm it has currently tendered works for improvements to Rathfriland Health Centre following a building condition survey carried out across all health centres in the region by Health Estates within the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS).
“These works will begin on Monday, 6 February, and the majority of the works will be completed by 31 March 2012," said a Southern Trust spokesperson.
Last year The Outlook revealed plans for a brand new health centre, complete with cafe facilities and a fitness suite.
A spokesperson for the Southern Trust confirmed that they are still working alongside Banbridge District Council to progress plans for the new state-of-the-art facility.
“The Southern Trust submitted a case for the redevelopment of Rathfriland Health Centre as part of the Primary and Community Care Infrastructure Programme in 2007.
“The funding for the programme has been significantly reduced and it is unlikely that the centre in Rathfriland will be redeveloped in the near future via this funding source.
“The Trust is however currently working with Banbridge District Council to progress plans for a new build facility in Rathfriland which could accommodate leisure facilities alongside primary and community care services.
“This development, which would be a council-owned building, would provide an opportunity to consolidate GP practices and other primary care providers together under the one roof in a new modern, fit for purpose facility.
“This would meet the needs of primary and community care and leisure services into the future, supporting necessary service expansion and addressing current spatial constraints," said a spokesperson for the Southern Trust.
DUP MLA Jim Wells said he believes the decision to refurbish the health centre will not be known until a few years down the line.
“We have no guarantee that the new centre will happen and even if it were to get the go ahead now we would have to wait at least two years before it is up and running, which would mean that the current health centre would have stayed in its inadequate state for a further few years."

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“I was uneasy about the decision, because if we are given the nod to go-ahead with the centre then the work that is ongoing at the minute at the current centre would be largely wasted as would the money.
“We will know if three or four years if the right decision was made regarding the refurbishment," said Mr Wells who added that the plans for a new health centre complex are very exciting for Rathfriland.
“The council have some very exciting proposals which would put the library, health centre and recreation centre all under one roof, and I believe it is an excellent idea.
“It is what Rathfriland needs in the long term as the current building and parking is totally inadequate for the 21st century."
However, Mr Wells added that he has to try and be realistic.
“Banbridge received £15.2 million for their health centre two weeks ago and so it is hard to envisage two similar projects in one district going ahead in the same period.
“And in four or five years, when Banbridge District Council, will be amalgamated with other councils, who's to say anyone on that body will do what is best for Rathfriland," said Mr Wells, who is currently the Chairman of the Stormont Health Committee.
While Banbridge District Councillor Elizabeth Ingram has welcomed the refurbishment, she is still calling on a new facility for Rathfriland.
“Refurbishment of a facility like this has to be welcomed but having only had a brief update on what will be involved I fail to see how it will justify the amount of money has been spent or to make much of a difference to the large volume of patients that use this health centre.
“Parking is a major issue for those who use the facility and unfortunately we will not be gaining any more parking spaces by this expenditure. It is a major issue for people using the facility.
“What Rathfriland needs is a 'Health and Wellbeing' centre on a different site to cope with the needs of a growing population and I have been supporting Banbridge in their efforts up to now of working towards this," said the UUP representative.
SDLP Councillor Seamus Doyle has welcomed the news of the refurbishment.
“I welcome the news as it is much needed within the health centre and I welcome anything that will make the health centre a nicer place for the patients and those who work there.
“However, I know that the council are still very much interested in a new facility in Rathfriland," said the Knockiveagh Councillor.

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