Council's Health Working Group sees New Plans for Ulster Hospital

October 1, 2015

The South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust was delighted to host Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council’s Health Working Group at the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald this week, for a tour of the construction site for the hospital’s new In patient Ward Block.

The visit followed the Council’s Community Planning Conference, held at Lagan Valley Island earlier in the month. 

The Chairman of the Council’s Health Committee, Alderman James Tinsley, said: “The Ulster Hospital is within the new Council’s area and the Working Group is keen to continue its close working relationship with the Trust across a range of health issues for the area as well as for community planning purposes and shaping the area. The new Inpatient Ward Block plans are extremely impressive and we would like to thank the Trust for the tour.”

The Council’s Health Committee is chaired by Alderman James Tinsley and meets with the Trust and other statutory agencies as required.  It looks to health-related matters in the Lisburn and Castlereagh area.  The Lagan Valley Hospital and the Ulster Hospital are in the Council area. 

Construction commenced in June 2013 and the new facility is scheduled to open to patients in early 2017. 

The £250m Phase B redevelopment programme also includes the provision of a new Acute Services Block, which is scheduled to commence on site in Autumn 2015.  This facility, which links to the new Inpatient Ward Block, will provide a new Emergency Department, Specialist Wards and Imaging Department.

The visit provided an opportunity for the Trust and the Council to discuss the future vision for Health and Social Care, including Hospital Services, as well as the importance of community planning in delivering “Making Life Better”, the Public Health Strategy for Northern Ireland, and improving the health of the local population. 

This new Inpatient Ward Block will replace the existing Main Ward Block, which was constructed in 1962, and will provide:

288 single bedrooms with en-suites
A new Day Surgery Department, including 4 state of the art Operating Theatres
Endoscopy Suite, Pharmacy, Support Services and Café.

The new Inpatient Ward Block will ensure patient privacy and dignity, improve infection prevention and control, and provide a high standard of clinical accommodation for generations to come.