25th November 2016
Health Minister Michelle O’Neill has cut the first sod for a new purpose built Acute Mental Health Inpatient Unit at Belfast City Hospital.
This facility will provide inpatient services for acutely mentally ill adults within the Belfast Trust area. It is expected to be completed in late 2018 and will cost £30million. This new facility will have 74 Acute Mental Health beds and six Psychiatric Intensive Care beds.
“This modern facility will offer high standards of treatment and evidence-based interventions for people experiencing an acute phase of mental illness and will allow practical working with individuals and their families towards recovery in a specially designed therapeutic environment,” said Minister O’Neill.
“My priorities for our health and social care system are clearly set out in my ‘Health and Wellbeing 2026: Delivering Together’ vision and I will continue to vigorously pursue and champion mental health issues to achieve real transformation.”
Belfast Trust Chief Executive, Dr Michael McBride said he was delighted that Minister O’Neill performed the official sod-cutting ceremony for the new unit.
“The unit will deliver a 21st century environment to support the treatment and care of severely mentally ill patients,” he said.
“The first purpose built unit for acutely mentally ill adults within the Belfast area has been designed to ensure that the environment supports and improves every future inpatient’s experience and recovery.”
Pictured: Minister O’Neill with Belfast Trust Chairman, Peter McNaney and Belfast Trust Chief Executive, Michael McBride.