29 May 2009
By Paul Gosling
A £270m Private Finance Initiative hospital for Enniskillen in Northern Ireland has been signed off following months of difficulties in getting funding finalised.
Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said that work on the project would begin on site ‘immediately’. He added: ‘Considering the complexities associated with this process and the ongoing economic difficulties, it is extremely satisfying to see the efforts of everyone involved coming to this key stage.
‘With the current economic climate and the downturn in the construction industry, it is important to note that this project will provide 850 jobs, of which 180 will be new jobs, during the construction of the hospital.’
Gerard Guckian, chair of the Western Health and Social Care Trust, said: ‘We have reached the end of a long and complex process and look forward to seeing the new hospital take shape.’
The hospital will serve the southwest region of Northern Ireland and contain acute services, including accident and emergency, major and emergency surgery, maternity services and day case surgery.
The project, which is due for completion by 2012, is backed by a social and economic regeneration plan for Enniskillen.
