A multi-million pound development which will enhance paediatric services at Craigavon Area Hospital will be given planning approval next week.
The development – which will provide for 19 paediatric inpatients beds – also includes additional car parking to help alleviate ongoing pressures with parking at the acute hospital site.
As revealed by Armagh I last July, a planning application had been submitted to Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.
It’s part of a £15 million package to modernise hospital services for children and young people across the Southern Trust.
All planned paediatric surgery for the Southern Trust will be centralised in a new £8.4m purpose built centre of excellence at Daisy Hill Hospital.
The Craigavon Hospital plans come in at a cost of £6.9m.
The development will be given the green light when the council’s planning and regulatory services committee meets in Banbridge this Wednesday.
The new paediatric healthcare facility at Craigavon will also include ancillary accommodation, ambulatory department and outpatients department.
The proposal includes plantrooms and a clinical link corridor to the existing hospital.
Associated site works include the reconfiguration of the existing hospital drop off, relocation of bus stops, reconfigured entrances to car park 1 and maternity car parks, and additional car parking and external landscaping.
The building will be linked to the main hospital via a corridor.
The paediatric facility proposal comprises four key elements including a 19 bed inpatient ward and ancillary accommodation, a five bed ambulatory care ward and ancillary accommodation, an outpatient department, consisting of five consultation exam rooms, treatment rooms, interview room and ancillary accommodation, as well as a staff support area made up of three consultant offices, two single offices and ancillary accommodation
Associated site works include the reconfiguration of the existing hospital drop-off, relocation of bus stops, reconfigured entrances to car park 1 and maternity car parks and additional car parking and external landscaping.
The paediatric site is located adjacent to the Emergency Department.
This application is the first building project in a phased Master Plan Development for the Craigavon Area Hospital site.
In recommending the development proceed, a professional planning report states: “This development of children’s services at Craigavon Area Hospital will clearly help to improve the lives of Northern Ireland’s children and young people and it is a real and tangible sign to the people of the Southern Trust area that a new development will be delivered as promised.
“This capital project represents a major investment for the area, not only terms of health and social care but also for the construction industry, by not only securing but creating employment in this challenging economic climate.”
Read more news:
Tributes paid to six-year-old Ella after tragic Newry road collision
PSNI puts parents in spotlight after being called to deal with large crowds of teens
Police continue to investigate circumstances surrounding body found in park
Six-year-old girl dies in Newry collision involving two cars and a tractor
St Patrick’s High in Keady awarded ‘Best Northern Ireland School’ at national exhibition
County Armagh lottery winner: My wife is going to buy a new hoover
Death of man found in park being treated as suspicious
