The first phase of work has begun for two new assessment and treatment units at Muckamore Abbey Hospital in Co Antrim.

The 115 bedded specialist assessment and treatment service on the Muckamore Abbey site was approved in January 2003 and the first phase will involve the provision of a 35-bed admission and assessment unit and a 23-bed specialist forensic unit.

Commenting on the work during a visit to the hospital, Health Minister Angela Smith said: "Modern facilities are essential for delivering quality healthcare in the 21st Century and I am delighted that work is now underway on the first phase of this new development at Muckamore Abbey, which is due to open in mid- 2005.

"I must commend the dedication of the staff at Muckamore, who are already pioneering efforts to modernise learning disability services."

The visit was the first stop of a two-day series of engagements by the Minister to see services within the Eastern Health and Social Services Board.

The first day of the Ministerial visit to the Eastern Board concluded with a visit to Belfast City Hospital to tour the purpose-built Bridgewater Suite.

The Suite was completed in May 2003 at a cost of £4.5m and is the largest unit of its type in Europe.

The Minister said: "These splendid new facilities offer first-class oncology and haematology treatment to over 200 patients a day. Many of them would’ve otherwise, have had to be treated as in-patients.

"The Belfast City Hospital must also be commended for its’ innovative and pioneering Patient Access Project aimed at cutting surgical and A+E waiting times locally. It is imperative that these projects succeed and that similar projects are encouraged across Northern Ireland," she concluded.

(MB)