An artist’s impression of what the new North Wing ward will look like at Altnagelvin Hospital
HEALTH Minister Michelle O’Neill today announced the award of two significant contracts for further investment at Altnagelvin – a new North Wing Ward Block to replace the ageing tower block wards and major upgrade works to Day Surgery Theatres.
The Minister confirmed the appointment of Northstone (NI) Ltd as the contractor to build the new North Wing building at Altnagelvin Area Hospital.
This is part of a £73.5m project at the Altnagelvin site which will incorporate six inpatient ward areas, a new main entrance to the hospital and relocation of the car parking facilities.
The North Wing building is scheduled to complete in December 2019.
The Minister also confirmed the appointment of TAL Ltd as the contractor to provide new Day Surgery Theatres at Altnagelvin Hospital.
This separate £3.3m project, which is planned to become operational from January 2018, will involve the refurbishment of existing theatre space and redesign of services.
It will provide additional daycase theatre capacity to address immediate theatre pressures at Altnagelvin Hospital.
Commenting on the announcements, the Minister said: “I welcome the award of both contracts for these construction works at Altnagelvin Area Hospital.
“This significant investment by the Executive will deliver a first class, state of the art facility for patients and families in Derry and the North West and will create a fit for purpose working environment for staff in Altnagelvin.
“These new facilities are important to ensure that patients have access to high quality health care delivered in a modern clinical and therapeutic environment, and to enhance operating theatre infrastructure capacity at Altnagelvin which will help to address the current waiting times for surgery.”
Commenting on announcement, Elaine Way Chief Executive of the Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) said: “The Western Trust is delighted that the contractor has been appointed and we now look forward to this exciting next stage of the redevelopment of Altnagelvin Hospital.
“This new building is the first phase of the major development to upgrade accommodation for all inpatient services currently located in the Tower Block of the hospital.
“The site for the North Wing is beside the existing hospital Tower Block and we have already undertaken some enabling works to facilitate the construction.
“This has included relocating some buildings and the construction of a new multi-storey car park which opened in October 2015.
“These are exciting times for the hospital following the completion of the £66m Radiotherapy Unit and now the North Wing.
“The Trust is delighted to be able to deliver services from the most modern patient centred facilities.”
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