Menu
24/02/2003
Acute services to be centred at Enniskillen
Months of indecision over where to locate acute services in the west province finally ended today, as the NIO Health Minister revealed that the Erne Hospital in Enniskillen had been given the nod ahead of Omagh's Tyrone County Hospital.
In what was described by the government as the "most significant programme of acute hospital reorganisation ever made in Northern Ireland", the NIO Minister Des Browne also unveiled a £500 million kickstart to the capital investment programme in acute hospitals – a programme which will amount to £1.2 billion over the next 10 years.
Mr Browne said that it had been a "difficult" decision, but the new hospital to the north of Enniskillen would be online in six years time at a cost of around £100 million.
Mr Browne said: "The current profile of hospital services is no longer appropriate and we are trying to sustain too many acute hospitals for the size of our population. ‘Developing Better Services’ proposed around nine acute hospitals for Northern Ireland and the responses broadly endorsed that level of provision.”
The Minister added: “Modernising our hospitals system is not about centralisation or the belief that somehow ‘bigger is best’; it is about getting the best fit of services around the patient. At the heart of this modernisation programme is the recognition that a range of safe, effective high quality care can be offered in smaller hospitals than had previously been thought possible. Patients want more, not fewer local services and the measures I have announced today will start to make that a reality.”
Speaking about the significant capital modernisation programme, Mr Browne said that around £217 million had already been invested. However, the Strategic Investment Programme announced on February 19 includes investment projects of over £300 million for health and personal social services.
Mr Browne said that his department is on track to bring forward proposals for the reform of HPSS organisational structures to around April.
(GMcG)
In what was described by the government as the "most significant programme of acute hospital reorganisation ever made in Northern Ireland", the NIO Minister Des Browne also unveiled a £500 million kickstart to the capital investment programme in acute hospitals – a programme which will amount to £1.2 billion over the next 10 years.
Mr Browne said that it had been a "difficult" decision, but the new hospital to the north of Enniskillen would be online in six years time at a cost of around £100 million.
Mr Browne said: "The current profile of hospital services is no longer appropriate and we are trying to sustain too many acute hospitals for the size of our population. ‘Developing Better Services’ proposed around nine acute hospitals for Northern Ireland and the responses broadly endorsed that level of provision.”
The Minister added: “Modernising our hospitals system is not about centralisation or the belief that somehow ‘bigger is best’; it is about getting the best fit of services around the patient. At the heart of this modernisation programme is the recognition that a range of safe, effective high quality care can be offered in smaller hospitals than had previously been thought possible. Patients want more, not fewer local services and the measures I have announced today will start to make that a reality.”
Speaking about the significant capital modernisation programme, Mr Browne said that around £217 million had already been invested. However, the Strategic Investment Programme announced on February 19 includes investment projects of over £300 million for health and personal social services.
Mr Browne said that his department is on track to bring forward proposals for the reform of HPSS organisational structures to around April.
(GMcG)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
10 August 2012
Accident Man Sent Home From Casualty Hours After Losing Two Fingers
A man who lost two fingers in a lawnmower accident was sent home just two and a half hours after attending hospital, the Impartial Reporter newspaper has reported. School bus driver Johnny Nelson, from Tamlaght, visited the new £276m South West Acute Hospital after his accident, which happened while he was taking a grass box off a lawnmower.
Accident Man Sent Home From Casualty Hours After Losing Two Fingers
A man who lost two fingers in a lawnmower accident was sent home just two and a half hours after attending hospital, the Impartial Reporter newspaper has reported. School bus driver Johnny Nelson, from Tamlaght, visited the new £276m South West Acute Hospital after his accident, which happened while he was taking a grass box off a lawnmower.
04 November 2021
New £115million Acute Services Block Opens At Ulster Hospital
The first phase of the new £115million Acute Services Block (ASB) at Ulster Hospital in Dundonald has been officially opened by Health Minister Robin Swann. Following a tour of the new facilities Minister Swann said: "Today marks another major achievement for the hospital and the South Eastern Trust.
New £115million Acute Services Block Opens At Ulster Hospital
The first phase of the new £115million Acute Services Block (ASB) at Ulster Hospital in Dundonald has been officially opened by Health Minister Robin Swann. Following a tour of the new facilities Minister Swann said: "Today marks another major achievement for the hospital and the South Eastern Trust.
22 April 2024
Views Sought from Public On Review Of Civil Legal Services
The Department of Justice has launched a public consultation, calling for views to inform a review of civil legal services in Northern Ireland.
Views Sought from Public On Review Of Civil Legal Services
The Department of Justice has launched a public consultation, calling for views to inform a review of civil legal services in Northern Ireland.
15 January 2003
Acute hospital decision due by end of January
The decision on where to site the new hospital for the south west will be taken by the end of January, according to the NIO Health Minister Des Browne. Mr Browne made his comments following a meeting today with a delegation from the Hospital Campaign for the Rural West, which advocates Omagh as the site of the new acute services hospital.
Acute hospital decision due by end of January
The decision on where to site the new hospital for the south west will be taken by the end of January, according to the NIO Health Minister Des Browne. Mr Browne made his comments following a meeting today with a delegation from the Hospital Campaign for the Rural West, which advocates Omagh as the site of the new acute services hospital.
15 March 2024
Latest All-Ireland Heritage Skills Programme Opens
Northern Ireland's aspiring craftspeople have been urged to apply for the latest All-Ireland Heritage Skills Programme, which has opened for applications.
Latest All-Ireland Heritage Skills Programme Opens
Northern Ireland's aspiring craftspeople have been urged to apply for the latest All-Ireland Heritage Skills Programme, which has opened for applications.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A mostly cloudy start with scattered showers, the showers becoming more isolated and largely confined to the south this morning. Becoming brighter this afternoon, the best of any sunnier spells across northern counties. Northerly winds easing. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:A dry evening with late sunny spells and some long clear spells overnight. Becoming cloudier across the north towards dawn with a few showers possible. Touch of frost in south. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
