Other News In Brief

Firms Appointed To Develop New Maternity Hospital In Belfast

Graham Construction and Bam Ireland have been appointed to develop a new £57million maternity hospital at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.

The joint venture will be delivered through Graham-Bam Healthcare Partnership.

Located on the main Royal Victoria Hospital site next to the existing maternity hospital, the new facility will include delivery suites, obstetric theatres and the neonatal intensive care unit all on one floor. There will also be a midwifery-led unit as part of the same facility, with ensuite rooms, each with a birthing pool.

Ron Clarke Managing Director for Building at Graham Construction, said: "We are delighted to have been selected by the Belfast Trust to construct the new maternity unit on the Royal Victoria Hospital complex. This new building will be a friendly and welcoming environment with state-of-the-art facilities and more choice, to better meet the needs of the women who will use it."

Woman Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

A woman has been convicted for claiming benefits she was not entitled to at Londonderry Magistrates' Court.

Donna Corcoran claimed Housing Benefit totalling £15,374 while failing to declare she was living with a partner. She was given 100 hours community service and 12 months probation order. The fraud was uncovered following an investigation by the Department for Communities.

She is also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Department for Communities.

Call For More Sustainable Model Of Domiciliary Care

A more sustainable model of domiciliary care is needed to prioritise the needs of patients, Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Carers and Wellbeing Colm Gildernew has said.

The Fermanagh/South Tyrone MLA was speaking after it emerged that the family of County Down pensioner George Stewart have been asked to contribute towards his social care package following hospital treatment for a brain haemorrhage.

He said: "There are reports of cases like this emerging in all Trust areas.

"The Trusts need to understand that when families are dealing with very stressful and difficult circumstances asking that they take on additional burden of sorting out a loved one's care is unrealistic in most cases.

"While the direct payments model may work for some families, many may not be in a position to take on the role of the employer.

"Clearly there needs to be a more effective system in place providing domiciliary care packages which are an extremely important and valuable service.

"Unfortunately, care packages are often seen as an easy target when budgets are limited. This was clearly seen during the sham health cuts process earlier this year."

(CD)