Health Minister Edwin Poots has announced significant financial investment to support a crucial NI Hospice capital project.

£2.7m will assist the NI Hospice in providing a replacement adult hospice for the provision of palliative and end of life care on the Somerton Road in Belfast.

The new hospice facility will provide 18 beds in single en-suite rooms with supporting facilities for staff, families and volunteers; a new Day Hospice facility capable of sustaining the current level of support and clinical interventions in an enhanced environment; a dedicated Education and Resource Centre and on-site parking.

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The NI Hospice has been proactive in raising funds for this initiative, not least through their 'buy a brick' campaign.

Mr Poots said: "The support the NI Hospice gives to those in need of palliative and end of life care, in partnership with the Health and Social Care Trusts, is vital. I am therefore delighted to provide capital funding of £2.7million to enable NI Hospice to proceed with the replacement of this much needed facility. I would also like to commend the NI Hospice on its continuing fundraising activities through their innovative ‘buy a brick’ campaign."

Although challenging, Minister Poots has prioritised capital funding support for the voluntary and community sector within his bid for additional funds through the Executive's June monitoring.

(CD/JP)