The 'dedication and commitment' of health care staff has come in for praise at the official opening of the new Downe Hospital.

As well as noting how the design achieved a number of awards - including one from the Royal Institute of British Architects for Architectural Excellence - NI Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said: "This state-of-the-art facility represents a major advancement in the provision of health care in Downpatrick and the surrounding areas.

"The people now have an excellent, purpose-built health facility providing high quality, safe and sustainable services.

"The new Downe Hospital opened its doors to patients on 28 June 2009, at a cost of £64m.

-- Advertisement --

"It provides inpatient services, including mental health and dementia services, a consultant-led emergency department, day procedure unit, outpatients, rehabilitation and maternity services."

The Minister continued: "This hospital has already won a number of awards for its design, including a recent award from the Royal Institute of British Architects for Architectural Excellence.

"It has more than 300 people working in it representing a wide range of health care professionals and support workers. I have been deeply impressed by the commitment of staff here and I wish them all the very best as they carry out their work in this magnificent new building," he commented.

Chief Executive of the South Eastern HSC Trust Hugh McCaughey added: "We are very proud of this hospital which continues to evolve as an important provider of health care for local people.

"We are building on the increasing activity and increasing range of services new to this area, including cataract and fracture surgery, new diagnostic procedures and the midwifery led maternity unit.

"New consultant led sexual health services will come onstream shortly, and I am delighted to announce that bowel screening for the entire population of the South Eastern Trust area will begin in the Downe on 6 August," Mr MCCaughey concluded.

(NS/BMcC)