Patsy McGlone 3rd April 2012

Written Answer from the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Assessment of the Main Building at Holywell Hospital, Antrim

Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety when the last assessment of the structure, décor, patient comfort and safety and overall suitability of the main building at Holywell Hospital, Antrim, was carried out; and to detail its findings.

(AQW 10118/11-15)

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The latest assessment carried out by the Northern Trust and issued to my Department was received in May 2011. This recorded the following assessment for the Main Building at Holywell Hospital, Antrim.

The Block was assessed and graded under the following headings:

Physical Condition Building Graded ‘D’ (Unacceptable)

Engineering Graded ‘D’ (Unacceptable)

Functional Suitability Graded ‘CX’ (Below a standard that is reasonable and adequate and would be impossible or impractical to improve.)

Statutory Standards Graded ‘C’ (Does not conform to statutory legislation but is capable of being upgraded to that level with minor expenditure.)

Space Utilisation Graded ‘3’ (Adequate, in both provision and use.)

Overall Condition Indicators based on Physical Condition: Rated as Red (Will reflect a building that is, or is becoming largely untenable as a point for the delivery of an HSS service or contains serious inherent risks to life.)

In addition, separate Patient Environment Surveys were carried out by the Department in March 2010.  These surveys considered internal finishes and fittings including ceilings, walls, floors, lighting and sanitary ware etc. The following wards which are within the main block were graded as follows:

Rating 2 – Good condition, minor upgrade required such as repair and repaint <25% of walls/replace <10% of floor finishes/minimal replacement of furniture, notice boards etc.

The Department is progressing the replacement of this facility and has asked the Northern Trust to submit a Strategic Outline Case for this project.

ENDS