Menu
05/09/2008
Maternity Plans Conceived
Key proposals for an expansion of maternity services at Craigavon Area Hospital have been announced.
NI Health Minister Michael McGimpsey revealed his plans to develop maternity services in the Southern Trust area overall, which will allow for hundreds of additional births every year at Craigavon.
He said yesterday that this represents an investment of around £3.5million.
The Minister said: "Our maternity services face a number of challenges. There is an increasing birth rate across Northern Ireland. This is particularly evident in the Southern Trust area and in the east of the Province.
"This increasing birth rate means maternity services must be developed to meet some immediate pressures," he continued.
" To help address these, I have asked the Southern Trust to start planning for an expansion of maternity services at Craigavon Area Hospital to provide for 300 additional births there each year."
Craigavon Area Hospital already has recorded 3,795 births in 2007/08 - an increase of almost 1,000 compared to 2003/04 - when there were around 2,850 births.
The fresh proposals include an increased capacity for the midwifery unit which currently delivers around 600 births each year.
Accommodation for mothers and babies will also be improved as part of the investment., as the Minister explained: "I want to ensure that the services we provide are of a high quality, are safe for mothers and babies and are configured to serve us well into the future.
"This proposed development will significantly improve both the access to and quality of services for women in the Southern Trust area," he said.
The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) is currently considering the business case for the expansion of maternity services at Craigavon Area Hospital and a decision is expected over the next few months.
(BMcC/KMcA)
NI Health Minister Michael McGimpsey revealed his plans to develop maternity services in the Southern Trust area overall, which will allow for hundreds of additional births every year at Craigavon.
He said yesterday that this represents an investment of around £3.5million.
The Minister said: "Our maternity services face a number of challenges. There is an increasing birth rate across Northern Ireland. This is particularly evident in the Southern Trust area and in the east of the Province.
"This increasing birth rate means maternity services must be developed to meet some immediate pressures," he continued.
" To help address these, I have asked the Southern Trust to start planning for an expansion of maternity services at Craigavon Area Hospital to provide for 300 additional births there each year."
Craigavon Area Hospital already has recorded 3,795 births in 2007/08 - an increase of almost 1,000 compared to 2003/04 - when there were around 2,850 births.
The fresh proposals include an increased capacity for the midwifery unit which currently delivers around 600 births each year.
Accommodation for mothers and babies will also be improved as part of the investment., as the Minister explained: "I want to ensure that the services we provide are of a high quality, are safe for mothers and babies and are configured to serve us well into the future.
"This proposed development will significantly improve both the access to and quality of services for women in the Southern Trust area," he said.
The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) is currently considering the business case for the expansion of maternity services at Craigavon Area Hospital and a decision is expected over the next few months.
(BMcC/KMcA)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
27 March 2024
Health Minister To Seek Deferral Of All Hospital Parking Charges
Health Minister, Robin Swann, has announced that he will seek a deferral to legislation to remove all hospital parking charges from 12 May, 2024. Minister Swann said that he will ask the Assembly to defer the measure for a two year period.
Health Minister To Seek Deferral Of All Hospital Parking Charges
Health Minister, Robin Swann, has announced that he will seek a deferral to legislation to remove all hospital parking charges from 12 May, 2024. Minister Swann said that he will ask the Assembly to defer the measure for a two year period.
22 March 2024
Health Minister Praises Work Of Mater Hospital's EOSC Staff
Health Minister, Robin Swann, has highlighted the innovative work of staff at the Elective Overnight Stay Centre (EOSC) in Belfast's Mater Hospital.
Health Minister Praises Work Of Mater Hospital's EOSC Staff
Health Minister, Robin Swann, has highlighted the innovative work of staff at the Elective Overnight Stay Centre (EOSC) in Belfast's Mater Hospital.
26 January 2024
Southern Trust Must Keep Women Udpated Amid Review – SF
Sinn Féin has called on the Southern Trust to ensure women are kept updated during the ongoing review of cervical smear tests. The party's health spokesperson, Linda Dillon, said: "The trust must ensure women affected by the cervical smear review are kept updated, including regarding any delays they are dealing with.
Southern Trust Must Keep Women Udpated Amid Review – SF
Sinn Féin has called on the Southern Trust to ensure women are kept updated during the ongoing review of cervical smear tests. The party's health spokesperson, Linda Dillon, said: "The trust must ensure women affected by the cervical smear review are kept updated, including regarding any delays they are dealing with.
29 February 2024
Economy Minister Welcomes Increase In Southern Visitors To NI
Economy Minister, Conor Murphy, has welcomed a recorded increase in the number of visitors to NI from the Republic of Ireland. The latest visitor statistics from the Central Statistics Office (CSO), show a very strong performance on trips, nights and spend by Republic of Ireland residents in Northern Ireland in the first nine months of 2023.
Economy Minister Welcomes Increase In Southern Visitors To NI
Economy Minister, Conor Murphy, has welcomed a recorded increase in the number of visitors to NI from the Republic of Ireland. The latest visitor statistics from the Central Statistics Office (CSO), show a very strong performance on trips, nights and spend by Republic of Ireland residents in Northern Ireland in the first nine months of 2023.
17 June 2009
Craigavon Maternity Care Boosted
An increased investment into maternity services at Craigavon Area Hospital has been announced. The NI Health Minister Michael McGimpsey (pictured) said this brings the total amount that has underpinned the service at the Co Armagh facility to £4.1million. The additional £600,000 follows on from the £3.5million announced in September 2008.
Craigavon Maternity Care Boosted
An increased investment into maternity services at Craigavon Area Hospital has been announced. The NI Health Minister Michael McGimpsey (pictured) said this brings the total amount that has underpinned the service at the Co Armagh facility to £4.1million. The additional £600,000 follows on from the £3.5million announced in September 2008.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A few fog patches at first, soon clearing to leave a dry day with some patchy cloud and good sunny spells. Light and variable winds. Feeling mild in sunny spells. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:Dry and quite chilly overnight under prolonged clear spells and light winds. This will allow a few fog patches to develop in places. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
