Ballymena Health & Care Centre gets local commissioning support

The Northern Local Commissioning Group's approval for the business case forms one part of the process for taking forward plans for the new centre and was forthcoming at their latest meeting on August 17.

However, its provision is still subject to approval of the business case by the Departments of Health, Social Services and Public Safety and Finance and Personnel, and to the availability of future funding.

DESIGN

The Health and Care Centre will be a Northern Health and Social Care Trust facility and will incorporate primary and community care services together with outpatient and diagnostic services.

Work is still underway on the design of the building and discussions are ongoing around arrangements for local GP Practices and Dalriada Urgent Care to be accommodated in this new improved facility.

Ballymena Borough Council has stated that it can assist the project by providing 20,000 of funding in return for being able to use the centre for a range of community activities.

The Northern Trust, which will manage the centre, has also confirmed that it can meet its annual running costs without diminishing its existing care services.

Dr Brian Hunter, Chair of the Northern Local Commissioning Group, said: “We are pleased to be giving our support towards taking forward plans for the new centre.

“We have worked closely with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust.

“We would hope as further capital becomes available to fund these facilities in other provincial towns in the northern area that the Ballymena project will be a model to follow.”