20 August 2007

New maternity theatre work underway

Building work on a new maternity theatre at Craigavon Area Hospital began last week.

The £1million project will double the existing maternity theatre capacity in what is the second busiest maternity unit in Northern Ireland.

“The safety of mums and babies is our main priority and this new theatre accommodation will improve our ability to respond immediately to emergency situations,” said Patricia McStay, head of midwifery and gynaecology.

Chairman of the Southern Health and Social Care Trust, Anne Balmer, welcomed the investment in local maternity services. Visiting the site of the new theatre, she said: “Upgrading our maternity facilities is a priority, given the increasing number of births the unit is dealing with.

“Our maternity staff are carrying a growing, and increasingly more complex, workload and this investment recognises the importance of the facility to women in the area.

“I look forward to the successful completion of the project, and the opening of the new theatre next Spring.”