Minister praises work of Mater Hospital

Health Minister Bairbre de Brún has paid a visit to the Mater Infirmorum Hospital in Belfast to see the new McAuley Building, built at a cost of £17 million.

Opened in June this year, the new McAuley word block stands on the old convent site at the Mater Hospital. Comprising a new three-storey building, the new extension houses theatres, atrium, endoscopy room, pharmacy and out-patient facilities, with 136 adult acute beds, medical education facilities and physiotherapy on the two upper levels.

Retaining the original convent door, the entrance now symbolically links the original hospital building and the new wing, with the building itself forming part of a redevelopment scheme supported by the Department of Health and the Eastern Health and Social Services Board, funded by the Mater Hospital Trustees.

Welcoming the opportunity to visit the facility, Ms de Brún said that it was evident the new wards allowed staff to provide “excellent care in first class accommodation and surroundings”.

The Minister also emphasised the Mater’s heritage of making an invaluable contribution to the healthcare for people throughout north Belfast, adding: “I have been extremely impressed by the dedication and professionalism of the medical, nursing and health care staff here, all of whom work so hard, often in extremely difficult circumstances.” (CL)