Work to start on new children's unit at Craigavon hospital in March

Work on a new £6.9m paediatric unit, which is to be built in the main car park at Craigavon Area Hospital, is expected to start in March if the local council approves the plans.
An architect's image of the proposed new Paediatric Unit at Craigavon Area HospitalAn architect's image of the proposed new Paediatric Unit at Craigavon Area Hospital
An architect's image of the proposed new Paediatric Unit at Craigavon Area Hospital

The development will provide 19 paediatric inpatients beds.

It is anticipated the new centre will be completed by September 2017.

A planning application had been submitted to Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.

It’s part of a £15m package to modernise hospital services for children and young people across the Trust.

All planned paediatric surgery for the Southern Trust will be centralised in a new £8.4m purpose built centre at Daisy Hill Hospital.

Associated site works include the reconfiguration of the existing hospital drop off, relocation of bus stops, reconfigured entrances to the main car park and maternity car parks, and additional car parking and external landscaping.

The facility will also have ancillary accommodation, a five bed ambulatory care ward, an outpatient department, withfive consultation rooms, treatment rooms, interview room, as well as a staff support area made up of five offices.

A spokesperson from the Southern Health and Social Care Trust said: “Subject to approval, work on the new paediatric centre at Craigavon Area Hospital is planned to begin on site in March 2016 and should be completed by September 2017. “Whilst the location of the new build will mean that a number of car parking spaces will need to be moved, it is envisaged that there will be no loss to the total number of available spaces around the hospital site.”