Delays in Opening New Maternity Hospital Are Deeply Concerning, Says Assembly’s Health Committee

The Assembly’s Health Committee has today expressed its disappointment and concern at the ongoing delays in the opening of the Royal Maternity Hospital, which had an original completion date of December 2015.

At its meeting on 5 December, the Committee heard from Representatives of the Trust and the Department who discussed the current issues and were also provided with an opportunity to outline and identify effective and timely solutions towards ensuring the opening of this much needed facility. 

Speaking after the briefing, the Temporary Chairperson of the Committee for Health, Linda Dillon MLA said: “All Members are agreed that the new Maternity Hospital has the opportunity to transform the care provided to mothers and babies and to provide safe, state-of-the-art facilities that will deliver better outcomes for our community for years to come. I know I speak for all of us on the Committee when I say that ongoing issues with bacteria in the water outlets and with the medical gas pipes at the Royal Maternity Hospital are deeply concerning and disappointing. 

“As a Committee, we have an important scrutiny role towards ensuring that capital projects such as this, are delivered on time and without any unnecessary costs to the public purse.”

The Temporary Chairperson continued: “Members are deeply concerned that the levels of delay and amount of additional public money that will be required to fix the problems shows that there has been a number of errors in the handling of this project.

“The Committee would underline the need for accountability within capital projects and has requested that the Health Minister consider what additional measures can be put in place to ensure delivery of this project in a timely manner.”

The Temporary Committee Chairperson concluded: “Let there be no doubt that lessons must be learned by the Trust and the Department and implemented into other major capital projects across the Health estate, including the new flagship children’s hospital. As a Committee, we are committed to ensuring that this is the case.” 

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

• Committee Member Linda Dillon MLA acted as Temporary Chairperson at yesterday’s meeting, in the absence of Committee Chairperson Liz Kimmins MLA.  
• Thursday’s Committee Meeting can be accessed here
  
• Further information on the work and Membership of the Committee can be accessed here

For media enquiries please contact:

Sinead Murphy, Communications Officer

Northern Ireland Assembly

Mobile: 0789 9864 368 Email: Sinead.murphy@niassembly.gov.uk