NI Health Minister Michael McGimpsey has said a new £3.95m facility will help children with learning disabilities have a better quality of life within their own communities.

The Minister was speaking as he officially opened eight-bedded children's treatment and assessment unit at Iveagh.

The unit, which has been operational since April 2010, provides specialist health and social care for children and young people with learning disabilities.

Speaking at the site at Broadway, close to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, Minister McGimpsey said: "This new facility will provide acute specialist treatment and assessment for children and young people with learning disabilities and prevent them having to be admitted to hospital."

A full range of nursing, social work, speech & language therapy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy, as well as medical & dental staff, is available on a full time or outreach basis. In addition, staff provides an outreach service for schools to ensure children can be maintained at their own school.

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Mr McGimpsey added: "This unique facility was planned in consultation with young people in care. It provides the latest in treatment and care in a safe, homely environment. It ensures that children with learning disabilities are assessed and treated in the community.

"This is a key step towards our ultimate goal of ensuring that anyone with a learning disability is promptly and suitably treated in the community and no one remains unnecessarily in hospital."

As part of his visit, the Minister was given a tour of the facility. He said: "I have been impressed by the beautifully landscaped garden areas which no doubt provide quiet, therapeutic outdoor spaces for the children to enjoy. The calm, child-friendly living areas within the centre offer a welcoming atmosphere for both children and their families."

The Minister continued: "This facility is another part of investment plans in primary and community care. This is a key element of the health component of the Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland, which will bring over £3billion of investment to modernise the infrastructure of our health and social care services.

"At the heart of our modernisation programme is the recognition that we will deliver high quality, safe services which continue to put patients first."

(NS/BMcC)