§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans there are to modernise Muckamore Abbey and Stradreagh Hospitals. [115967]
§ Mr. BrowneA Business Case has been approved for the redevelopment of Muckamore Abbey Hospital as a purpose built 115 bedded regional core hospital. Funding of £5 million has been secured through the Reinvestment and Reform Initiative (RRI) to take forward the first phase of the project which will provide 969W for the development of a 35 bedded regional admissions and assessment service and a 23 bedded regional forensic assessment and treatment service. Construction of Phase 1 is due to commence in September 2003 with a completion date of May 2005.
A Business Case has also been approved for the replacement of the current Stradreagh Hospital with a 43-bed in patient treatment assessment unit, a 20-place challenging behaviour unit and a 5-place rehabilitation unit. RRI funding of £4 million has been secured for the project. Initial work has commenced making good progress and is on track for completion in November 2004.