18 September 2003

Minister opens new care unit at Altnagelvin

Health Minister, Angela Smith has officially opened a new Children’s Transitional Care Unit at Altnagelvin Hospital.

The unit has been developed to accommodate a small number of individual children with very high nursing and technological needs. It aims to achieve home discharge for these children through a planned multi-professional, multi-agency co-ordinated approach.

The unit will provide parents, children and carers with the necessary skills and support in the transitional period between hospitalisation and home discharge in an environment that is more akin to home than an Intensive Care Unit or even the traditional ward setting.

Speaking at the launch the Minister said: “This is a very significant day for these children who need the care and support that this Unit can give them and I would congratulate everyone involved in bringing these facilities to Altnagelvin.”

During her visit, the Minister met some of the children and the families of those who will benefit from the new unit. Paying tribute to the dedication of staff, the Minister said: “I was moved by their strength of devotion and the support they give to those they care for and their families. I have no doubt that this service will make a significant difference and it is wonderful to hear about the benefit to the children who have access to the unit.”

(MB)