Almost £18m spent on repair costs at Holywell Hospital are 'eye-watering' says Mid Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone
Mid Ulster SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone has described as 'eye-watering' the total cost of maintenance and repairs to Holywell Hospital in Antrim over the past ten years.
In a reply to an Assembly question tabled by Mr McGlone, the Health Minister Mike Nesbitt revealed that almost £18m had been spent by the Department of Health on works at the hospital.
The local MLA said the figures are eye-watering and underlined the importance and urgency of building a new hospital.
“To my mind it would be much better to invest in a new purpose-built hospital rather than very expensive sticking plaster to an old and deteriorating building,” he said.
“The sooner we have a 21st century purpose-built integrated hospital to serve the needs of the community, including those with mental health problems, the better.”
He added that he would continue to lobby the Minister for such a new build facility on a site at Antrim Area Hospital.