Health Minister opens day surgery unit at Antrim Area Hospital
by Guy Hiscott
On 14 November, Health Minister Michael McGimpsey officially opened the new day surgery unit at Antrim Area Hospital.
The unit will deliver a patient-focused service for day-case dental and general surgery, and ear nose and throat (ENT) treatment, amongst other services.
Speaking after the opening ceremony, Minister McGimpsey said: ‘This state-of-the-art facility will provide staff with a high quality work area, fully equipped with modern technology which will facilitate a wide range of day procedures.
‘Changes such as these are vital to the modernisation of our health services, and for ensuring that the hospital services we provide are of the highest possible quality and are provided in the most modern facilities.
‘We must recognise and be able to adapt to advances in medicine and surgery, allowing an increasing number of procedures to be provided as day-case rather than as inpatient.’
Mr McGimpsey added: ‘Ensuring people are able to have the necessary treatment and be able to return home on the same day will help lessen the anxiety that patients sometimes experience when they have to attend hospital.
‘That has significant benefits for the patient, for their families and carers and for the service, allowing us to treat significantly more people within the same resources.’
