Mater Hospital, Belfast

HC Deb 01 July 1998 vol 315 cc203-4W

Mr. Beggs

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what extension plans have been(a) prepared for the Mater Hospital, Belfast and (b) approved by the Department of Health. [47869]

Mr. Worthington

The Trust has developed plans for the construction of a new three storey block containing wards, a day procedures unit and a pharmacy. This will be funded by the Mater Hospital Trustees and does not require Departmental funding. The Trust also plans for the refurbishment and upgrading of the original building. These have not yet been submitted for Departmental approval. A business case for a 50 bed acute psychiatric unit, based within the Mater Hospital, was approved by the Health and Social Services Executive in January 1998.