Mater Hospital (Hansard, 9 March 1999)

§ Mr. Beggs
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which hospital services Her Majesty's Government are obliged to maintain at the Mater Hospital, Belfast, under the terms of the 1971 Deed of Arrangement. [74453]

§ Mr. McFall
The Mater Infirmorum Hospital entered the health service under the 1971 Deed of Arrangement, which secured the preservation of the Roman Catholic character and association of the hospital. The Deed set out specific requirements for the general administration of the hospital and provided for a review of the internal allocation of beds and facilities and for the preparation of a scheme for the initial reconstruction and modernisation of the hospital's buildings and facilities. The deed of Arrangement does not require the maintenance of specific services at the hospital. Whatever services are provided must however preserve the character and associations of the Hospital.

§ Mr. Beggs
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what extension plans have been prepared for the Mater Hospital, Belfast; and if she will make a statement. [74454]

§ Mr. McFall
The Trust have recently completed an extension to provide a 50-bed acute psychiatric unit. This was approved by the HSSE. A building programme for the construction of a new three storey block containing wards, a day procedures unit and a pharmacy has now started. This will be funded by the Mater Hospital Trustees and does not require Departmental funding. The

(b)

Task forces/review groups Public consultation exercises

NIO

Independent Commission on Policing A series of 35 public meetings were held throughout Northern Ireland, and written and oral submission were invited.

Northern Ireland Drugs Strategy Review Public invited by newspaper advertisements to comment on current NI Drugs Strategy.

Criminal Injuries Compensation Review Notices were placed in the local press in September 1998 and February 1999 inviting evidence from anyone with an interest in the Criminal Injuries Compensation scheme. A series of semi-public meetings also held throughout Northern Ireland to hear from those who had experience of claiming injures compensation.

108W
Trust also has plans for the refurbishment and upgrading of the original building. These have not yet been submitted for Departmental approval.

§ Mr. Beggs
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what extension plans for the Mater Hospital, Belfast, have had approval from the Department of Health. [74495]

§ Mr. McFall
A 50 bed acute psychiatric unit has recently been completed. No further extension plans for the Mater Hospital have been approved by the Department at present.

(b)
Task forces/review groups	Public consultation exercises
NIO
Independent Commission on Policing	A series of 35 public meetings were held throughout Northern Ireland, and written and oral submission were invited.
Northern Ireland Drugs Strategy Review	Public invited by newspaper advertisements to comment on current NI Drugs Strategy.
Criminal Injuries Compensation Review	Notices were placed in the local press in September 1998 and February 1999 inviting evidence from anyone with an interest in the Criminal Injuries Compensation scheme. A series of semi-public meetings also held throughout Northern Ireland to hear from those who had experience of claiming injures compensation.