The Health Minister has announced plans to invest £180 million in capital over the next three years to improve health and social care services and facilities in the Belfast Trust area.

Much needed jobs in the construction industry will also flow from the massive investment in new developments as well as an upgrade of existing services.

They will take place across a range of primary, secondary and community care areas to bring about major improvements in services to the public.

Speaking as he cut the first sod on the site of the new regional Mental Health Facility for Adolescents and Children and Families at Forster Green Hospital in Belfast Michael McGimpsey said: "A world-class health service needs modern and state of the art facilities.

"This new regional mental health facility will provide 18 places for adolescents and 15 places for children along with overnight accommodation for parents.

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"The adolescent unit will provide more beds than are currently available while the children's unit is a much needed replacement of services which were no longer fit for purpose," he explained, noting that it is only part of a major investment in mental health facilities.

Commenting on the planned investment of £580 million for capital projects in the Belfast Trust over the next decade the Minister said: "I will continue to invest funds where improved health and social care services are most needed both regionally and for the people in the Belfast Trust area.

"Key projects include the new Health and Care Centre for the Castlereagh area which will be opening shortly; a new Mental Health Inpatient Unit for the Belfast area; a new Mental Health Community facility in north Belfast and the replacement of other mental health facilities and learning disability facilities at the Muckamore Abbey Hospital site."

However, west Belfast will have to wait a little longer. Referring to the proposed new Women's and Children's Hospitals Michael McGimpsey said: "I strongly support this development and want to progress this work much more quickly than I am able to.

"Site enabling works will begin in 2011, with construction of the Women's Hospital beginning in 2015/16 with an expected completion date of 2017/18.

"Construction of the Children's Hospital is not due to start until 2017/18 with completion expected in 2021/22," he said.

See: Health Minister Seeks Support For Spending Increase

(BMcC)