Health Minister Michelle O’Neill has officially opened the new Pharmacy Department in the Mid Ulster Hospital during a visit to the Northern Trust area.
The Minister opened the new £430,000 refurbished and upgraded former ward, which provides centralised dispensing and distribution of drugs, dressings, medical and surgical supplies for patients and community services across the Northern Trust.
Speaking at the opening, the Minister said: “I am delighted to open this impressive facility today. This new department will benefit patients providing one stop dispensing for the Mid Ulster Hospital site as well as to off-site facilities including Inver Rehabilitation Unit in the Moyle Community Hospital, the Robinson Community Hospital in Ballymoney, the GP Out of Hours Service (Dalriada Urgent Care) and The Rowan. It is ideally located to do this as no trust site is more than an hour away.
“The new department dispenses and distributes specialist medicines for cancer, multiple sclerosis and renal patients and specialist supplies for diabetic patients who are managed in the community. I am also pleased to hear that the Trust’s pharmacy team has established links on an all-Ireland basis including with Tallaght Hospital in Dublin, University of Limerick and University Hospital Limerick. It is important that we use every opportunity to collaborate so that we reap the benefits of shared learning and all island working.”
Whilst in the Northern Trust area, the Minister also visited District Nursing Team at Cookstown Health Centre and the Rehabilitation Ward in the Mid Ulster Hospital. The Minister said; “The nurses and staff I’ve met today make a tremendous impact on the patients they treat. The Rehabilitation team helps people to get home where they can continue their recovery, whilst the District Nursing team cares for people in the comfort of their own house. This is exactly the direction our health service is going – and bringing care closer to the community is a key priority for me.”
The Minister then met service users at Ardrath House and visited Supported Living Unit, Church Lane Mews in Magherafelt. Speaking after the visit, the Minister said; “I have been impressed by the work and dedication of the staff I’ve met today. I’ve visited a range of health services and it’s clear that high quality care is at the top of everyone’s agenda. I would like to thank the staff in the Northern Trust for all the work they do.”
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