BY AILEEN MURPHY
The construction of the new acute hospital in Enniskillen has taken another step forward with the appointment of the group to built the new facility
The Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey, announced that the Northern Ireland Health Group has been appointed successful tenderer for the new £267million acute hospital in Enniskillen.
The consortium consists of a number of companies, but it is hoped some of the work may be sub-contracted out to local firms.
The Western Health and Social Care Trust will now work with the Northern Ireland Health Group, a private sector consortium, to take the project forward through contract conclusion and construction in accordance with EU procurement rules.
Making the announcement, the Minister said: "The new acute hospital will provide the people of the South West with a modern, state of the art healthcare facility that will be fit for the 21st Century. I am delighted to see the project progress to this key stage. The appointment of the Northern Ireland Health Group means that the new hospital is very much on schedule for 2012."
The Chairman of the Western Trust, Gerard Guckian, welcomed the announcement, and thanked the Minister and his Department for their continued commitment.
"This is tremendous news. It marks a very important milestone on the journey of improving health and social care for the 290,000 people living in the Western Trust area. When completed, this new state-of-the-art hospital will be one of the most modern facilities, not only in Northern Ireland, but across the UK.
"It is a flagship project," he went on, "and I am delighted to see the delivery of such a facility in the Western Trust area. Our expectations are high and I have no doubt that Northern Ireland Health Group will deliver a 21st Century hospital that is in keeping with our expectations."
Mr Guckian paid tribute to the two unsuccessful bidders who, he said, had participated positively in the process."
Construction of the new £267million hospital is expected to begin on site next year, with planned completion in 2012. The hospital will have 315 beds and will provide a wide range of in-patient, outpatient and day case services, including, accident and emergency, diagnostic services, an observation and assessment unit, elective/planned surgery and acute medical/surgical services. The announcement welcomed by the Assembly member, Tom Elliott, who said it was 'a positive step for the people of the South West'.
Mr. Elliott said the announcement was a major step forward in seeing this modern facility become a reality.
"The Minister's announcement and the progress that this represents is a positive step for the people of the South West," he said, "for both the community at large and, also, for the health professionals who will now have the opportunity to work in what should be an impressive building with a range of state-of-the-art services.
"This acute hospital project, upon completion, will help improve the quality of life for many thousands of people in and around this area of Northern Ireland."
