HC Deb 31 October 2002 vol 391 c958W
Mr. McGrady

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will announce a new hospital for Downpatrick in December. [77597]

Mr. Browne

Decisions on the way forward on the redevelopment of the Downe Hospital will be taken following analysis and consideration of the responses to the consultation paper "Developing Better Services— Modernising Hospitals and Reforming Structures". While I would like to be in a position to announce the way forward before the end of this year, it is not possible, at this stage, to be definitive about when decisions will be taken.