New centre hosts council chief

From left: Mike Reardon, ABC Council (Interim) Strategic Director, Paula Clarke Southern Trust Chief Executive (Interim) , Roger Wilson ABC Council Chief Executive, Charlene Stoops Southern Trust Assistant Director of Planning, Kieran Donaghy Southern Trust (Deputy) Chief Executive.

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council chief-executive Mr Wilson was reportedly keen to meet some of the 220 staff at the centre, to find out how they were settling into what he called “this impressive new facility”.

The new £16 million Centre and Day Care facility has been open for business since the end of January.

Banbridge Health and Care Centre and the Linenbridge Day Centre replaced three facilities - the Health Centre at Scarva Street, Banbridge Social Education Centre for adults with a learning disability and Copperfields, which provides day care to adults with a physical disability.

The Linenbridge Centre has two wings for 46 learning disability places and 20 physical disability places.

Mr Wilson said: “This new Health and Care and Day Care Centre represents a significant investment in improving health-care provision for people living in the wider Banbridge area.

“I am delighted to see this project come to fruition and delivered to a very high standard.

“The new centre will facilitate the concentration of health and social care services in high quality facilities that are attractive, comfortable and accessible to patients, visitor and staff.

“It will provide the environment necessary to improve multi-disciplinary and multi-agency working on the one site. We are committed to working closely with the Trust to deliver a range of initiatives aimed at reducing health inequalities and encouraging healthier lifestyle choices in all parts of the borough.”

Interim Southern Trust chief-executive Paula Clarke led Mr Wilson on a tour of the centre.

She said: “We work closely with colleagues in the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council to improve local services and the health and well-being of the people of Banbridge. We welcome this visit by the council chief-executive and thank him for his continued interest in the new Banbridge Heath and Care Centre and his support for our staff who are working very hard to provide many excellent health and social care services to local people.”