Subscribe to our Construction Newsfeed
Ireland Construction Directory
Search our 26,229 companies....

Construction News

14/02/2011

Hospital Underway As Funding Row Deepens

Just days after a warning that some hospitals in NI may have to close to 'help balance the books', the NI Health Minister Michael McGimpsey, has this week cut the first sod to mark the beginning of the latest major phase of redevelopment at the Ulster Hospital.

He gave the good news as research commissioned by the Health and Social Care Board warned of a financial crisis looming 'unless tough decisions are made'.

While Michael McGimpsey said he cannot support some of the proposals, suggestions include a charge for patients going to A&E or their GP, but warned that on the basis of the draft budget, some change will be inevitable

"It is clear that very difficult decisions will have to be made regarding our health and social care service over the next few years. It is simply impossible to continue to deliver services the way we currently do with the funding available."

The Minister has warned that 4,000 jobs could be lost in the Health Service because of budget cuts.

To provide an efficient service, officials said they needed £5.4bn by 2015 - instead they are to get £4.6bn - a shortfall of £800m.

This week also saw a row between the DUP Finance Minister, Sammy Wilson and the Ulster Unionist Michael McGimpsey escalate.
-- Advertisement --



The Finance boss accused Minister McGimpsey of "shroud waving" and "scare tactics" when he should be tackling a culture of waste within the health service.

He alleged there is "plenty of fat" to be trimmed from it without affecting standards, and rejected claims that 4,000 frontline health jobs could be lost.

"(McGimpsey) shouldn't find any difficulty squeezing between 6% and 8% out of a budget like that," Mr Wilson said and claimed he was often approached by members of the public pointing out waste in the system

Major Development

Meanwhile, a substantial building sector boost was kicked-off as Minister Michael McGimpsey, cut the ceremonial 'first sod' to mark the beginning of the latest major phase of redevelopment at the Ulster Hospital.

This latest phase, which is expected to cost in the region of £190m, will provide new ward accommodation, Accident & Emergency department, imaging department, mortuary, coronary care unit, pharmacy, a new entrance block and essential support functions.

Speaking during the ceremony just outside Belfast, the Minister said: "This significant investment will bring the Ulster Hospital into the 21st century with a modern state of the art complex providing the very best medical care to all patients.

"Unfortunately in Northern Ireland, there are too many ageing healthcare facilities which are in dire need of refurbishment or replacement.

"However, I only have a fraction of the capital funding I need to do this work which means I have no option but to prioritise where the funding goes," he said.

"Our staff deserve to be working in modern facilities so that they can deliver the best services for the public. Patients also deserve to be treated in welcoming and well-maintained buildings to help in their recovery.

"These new facilities will provide a modern environment for patients and staff alike of which we will rightly be very proud."

He also noted that a number of capital projects have just been completed at the Ulster Hospital at a cost of almost £106m

Enabling works will commence on site this month and construction of the ward block will follow immediately and is expected to complete in Autumn 2016.

(BMcC/GK)

Latest Construction News

19/02/2025
Work is set to commence on a new £671m Northern Ireland children's hospital 'in a matter of days', the NI Executive has announced. With a five-year construction timetable, the 10-floor state-of-the-art facility located within Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital site is projected to be opened by Belf
19/02/2025
County Tipperary-based Glas Civil Engineering has commenced works on a major active travel project in County Kildare. The project includes a comprehensive upgrade of Mill Street, Maynooth, spanning from the Leinster Street /Main Street junction to the Kilcock Road / Moyglare Road junction. The en
19/02/2025
Northern Ireland construction firm GRAHAM has been awarded a significant contract by Surrey County Council to deliver essential improvements to the A320 north of Woking highway. This is a key infrastructure project funded through Homes England's Housing Infrastructure Fund. The scheme, designed t
19/02/2025
A £1.1m project to provide new and improved facilities at a County Armagh primary school has been completed. Education Minister Paul Givan officially opened the upgraded Foley Primary School, which saw additions of a multi-purpose sports hall, two mobile classrooms, new school central heating syste
19/02/2025
Ward and Burke Construction Ltd has commenced works on behalf of Uisce Éireann to replace ageing and damaged watermains in Snave, County Cork. Over 800 metres of old watermains, which are prone to frequent bursts and leakage, will be replaced and upgraded with new modern pipes. Once completed, whic
19/02/2025
Works to repair a historic clock in County Down have successfully been completed. The refurbishment of Dan Rice Hall's clock tower in Drumaness was made viable following an investment of £15,000 by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, with funds going towards new clock faces, back light feature
19/02/2025
Representatives from Galway City Council and Galway's Westend business association met this week to explore current and future projects for their area. Topics covered during these discussions included potential improvements at Father Burke Park, the current summer pedestrianisation, public realm im
19/02/2025
The deadline for applications to NI Water's award-winning Entry Level Academy has been extended. Submissions for the 23 highly sought after apprenticeship, higher level apprenticeship and graduate jobs will now close on Monday, February 24, at 10am. NI Water's Entry Level Co-ordinator, Stacey Wats
19/02/2025
Public opinion is being sought for the development of an exciting project in County Waterford. The Thomas Street Creative Project is an initiative to inform and shape the local community and the cultural direction of Thomas Street in the heart of Waterford’s Cultural Quarter (WCQ). With the public
19/02/2025
A road closure is set to commence next week to facilitate essential drainage works in advance of a road reconstruction project at the L5036 in County Wicklow. Beginning Monday, February 24, the L5036-Ballinastoe Road will close for approximately 2 weeks. A diversion route will be in place through t
This web site uses cookies to improve your experience and by viewing our content you accept their use. Click here to remove this notice.
ACCON UK LtdAlternative Tying Systems LtdRTS Heating & CoolingGreen City Paving & LandscapingGSM Guttering & Fascia LtdStone Systems LimitedPremier Floor ScreedS & N GraniteKG ManufacturingSeamless Aluminium