Sinn Féin representative Declan Kearney has pressed authorities to provide an urgent confirmation of a funding announcement date for the new Birch Hill hospital complex in Co. Antrim, emphasising the need to accelerate its construction.

He also voiced serious concern over the deteriorating conditions at Holywell Hospital, where staff are reportedly facing significant challenges in delivering adequate mental health care.

Speaking after a visit to Holywell, along with party colleague and Chair of the Assembly Health Committee, Philip McGuigan MLA, the South Antrim MLA said: "It was absolutely clear from the outset that the built environment in which staff are managing everyday care for service users is not conducive to good mental health provision, despite their obvious passion and commitment.

"The ongoing serious physical dilapidation throughout the site presents a depressing environment for both staff and patients. The walls in Holywell are literally crumbling in plain sight. Some buildings are sinking into the ground. These facilities are no longer fit for purpose."

Mr Kearney also criticised the "constant drain on recurrent funding to meet the costs of ongoing repairs" and said there is no economic sense in doing this where the premises are clearly beyond physical redemption.

Offering his party’s solution, Mr Kearney continued: "Our visit culminated with an in depth presentation on the plans for the Birch Hill Centre. This outlined an ambitious vision to provide for the required standard of mental health and wellbeing care, and has been formulated through a comprehensive process of co-design and the passion of the mental health management and staff in the Northern Trust.

"The Birch Hill vision and associated design plans contrasts with the intolerable conditions at the Holywell site. The current situation is absolutely unsustainable. 

"I will now be writing to the Health Minister urging him to confirm the funding which will finally allow the Birch Hill Centre for Mental Health to be built."