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21/07/2003
New regional maternity hospital to be complete by 2010
The new regional maternity hospital is not expected to be up and running until the end of the decade, DUP Health Spokesperson, Iris Robinson has said.
Mrs Robinson said news of the new unit was confirmed to her after questioning local Health Minister Angela Smith in the House of Commons.
In her answer, Ms Smith said the Government anticipated "that construction work will begin on-site in 2005 and will take approximately five years to complete".
Responding, the Strangford MP said: "For too long the province has been denied a new regional maternity hospital. Though a business case is expected in six months, I am concerned that we may have to wait until the next decade before the facility finally opens.
"Working conditions for staff on the current Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital site are unsatisfactory. Action needs to be taken to alleviate pressures. We cannot simply wait several years until the new centre opens.
"Furthermore maternity pressures in Belfast will only increase as a result of closures of other maternity units around the province."
Elsewhere, Councillors in Co Down are to hold a special meeting tonight to discuss the closure of Downpatrick Maternity Hospital.
Councillors are planning to oppose the action by taking their case to the High Court.
They have been asked by the Down Community Health Committee to consider mounting High Court action to keep the hospital open until the Health Minister decides on whether Downpatrick has been chosen as one of the sites for the proposed new midwifery-led maternity units.
Downpatrick Maternity Hospital is set to close on August 15.
(MB)
Mrs Robinson said news of the new unit was confirmed to her after questioning local Health Minister Angela Smith in the House of Commons.
In her answer, Ms Smith said the Government anticipated "that construction work will begin on-site in 2005 and will take approximately five years to complete".
Responding, the Strangford MP said: "For too long the province has been denied a new regional maternity hospital. Though a business case is expected in six months, I am concerned that we may have to wait until the next decade before the facility finally opens.
"Working conditions for staff on the current Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital site are unsatisfactory. Action needs to be taken to alleviate pressures. We cannot simply wait several years until the new centre opens.
"Furthermore maternity pressures in Belfast will only increase as a result of closures of other maternity units around the province."
Elsewhere, Councillors in Co Down are to hold a special meeting tonight to discuss the closure of Downpatrick Maternity Hospital.
Councillors are planning to oppose the action by taking their case to the High Court.
They have been asked by the Down Community Health Committee to consider mounting High Court action to keep the hospital open until the Health Minister decides on whether Downpatrick has been chosen as one of the sites for the proposed new midwifery-led maternity units.
Downpatrick Maternity Hospital is set to close on August 15.
(MB)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Scattered showers of rain, sleet and, over hills, snow in the morning with sunny spells, the best of these in the south. The showers dying out this afternoon with increasing amounts of sunshine. Occasionally fresh westerly or northwesterly winds easing. Maximum temperature 6 °C.Tonight:Clear start with a fairly widespread frost developing. Increasing cloud brings occasionally heavy rain overnight, preceded, especially over western hills, briefly by snow. Occasional southeasterly gales, severe near coasts, developing. Minimum temperature -2 °C.
