Press Release

20^th October 2006

First Sod Turned on New Downe Hospital Site

The formal start of work on the new Downe Hospital, Downpatrick, was marked today by the turning of the first sod on the site by the Chairman Designate of the new South Eastern Health and Social Services Trust, Denise Fitzsimons.

Accompanied by Northern Ireland’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael McBride, Eddie McGrady MP and Cllr Michael Coogan, Chairman of Down District Council’s Health Committee, Mrs Fitzsimons spoke of her pleasure at today’s event.

“I have been involved with the campaign for a new hospital for Downpatrick for more years than I care to remember!” she said. “In the early days, I chaired the Down Community Health Committee, then I became a non-executive director of Down Lisburn Trust and then in 2001, Chairman. It really gives me enormous satisfaction to be performing this ceremony today. I know the whole community and of course our staff can’t wait for the new hospital to open.”

“We have everything to look forward to and I believe that this will be a beautiful building that will provide first class services to local people. Our staff have been doing a terrific job in the old Downe and Downshire hospitals, but those buildings are no longer fit for purpose. Hospital staff have shown great dedication and commitment in getting the new services into shape so that when the building is ready, we are ready to run with a modern, flexible hospital service that we can all be proud of.”

All staff at the Downe and Downshire hospitals were invited to a celebration lunch in the Great Hall of the Downshire Hospital after the sod-cutting. They joined about 100 invited guests and senior Trust staff to hear speeches from Dr McBride, Mr McGrady, Cllr Coogan and Mrs Fitzsimons.

Guests were welcomed by the current Down Lisburn Trust Chairman, David Gorman and included former Director of Nursing and Acute Services with the Trust, Irene Younge. Also present were representatives of several local health campaigning bodies including the Down Community Health Committee, the Ardglass & District Health Support Group and the Down Cardiac Support Group.

For more information ring Christina Martin 028 9250 1209 or 07980 620661