THE Western Trust has confirmed that the first phase of the new North Wing building at Altnagelvin Hospital is now complete.
Phase 1 delivers three new inpatient wards which will be used to relocate services from the Tower Block and Care of the Elderly building.
The wards relocating to North Wing are:
Ward 20 – Specialist Medicine
Ward 1 – General Medicine
Ward 3 – Respiratory Medicine.
The handover between the construction company, Farrans Construction and the Western Trust took place at the start of this week with plans now underway to occupy the new facility as quickly as possible.
Commencing construction in 2016, the project will ensure that inpatient treatment and care is provided in the most modern environment, supporting staff and promoting patient recovery.
The whole project will provide replacement accommodation for 6 wards, incorporating 144 single ensuite bedrooms, and a new main entrance for the hospital.
The new building is being constructed in phases to ensure all services at the hospital remain operational and all times.
Phase 1 (now complete) provides three new wards.
Phase 2 is the demolition of the Care of the Elderly ward block to allow construction to continue.
This will start shortly.
The final phase (Phase 3) will see construction of a new hospital entrance and completion of the final three inpatients wards.
Welcoming the handover of Phase 1 of the North Wing building, Chief Executive of the Western Trust, Dr Anne Kilgallen said:
“This fabulous new facility will enable us to provide clinical care and treatment to our patients in well-designed surroundings, using the latest technologies and equipment.
“The single ensuite rooms and modern environment will improve the quality and experience of care for our patients, whilst supporting our staff in their roles.
“I would like to thank everyone involved in this project and those who have worked tirelessly to make this happen. I would also like to thank the public for their continuing patience as we improve facilities on the Altnagelvin Hospital site.”
Dr Killgallen added: “With the North West Cancer Centre, The Omagh Hospital and Primary Care Complex, Rathview in Omagh and the new North Wing, the Western Trust is at the forefront of ensuring the sustainability of our services and delivering world class healthcare to our patients.”
