A new multi-million pound trauma care facility at Craigavon Area Hospital has been opened.

NI Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey has officially welcomed the £9.4million Trauma and Orthopaedics Unit which is the final phase of a £15million investment project, designed to improve waiting times for fractures and orthopaedic services.

The new unit will provide two new laminar flow theatre suites (one for orthopaedics and one for trauma), a seven-bedded recovery area and a 15-bedded ward, which includes seven single en-suite rooms.

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Speaking at the opening of the new unit, the Minister said: "This is a superb new facility which will bring real benefits to patients and staff. The new unit provides top class facilities for people in this region who need trauma and orthopaedic services, and will ensure that the health service continues to provide safe, high quality services for the people of the Southern Trust area.

"It means that patients are able to have their treatment locally, rather than having to travel to Belfast."

He continued: "This development is further progress in my drive to modernise the infrastructure of health and social care services.

"It is yet another example of my determination to put patients first and to ensure a first class health service is available for people in all regions across Northern Ireland."

(NS/BMcC)