AQW 12317/17-22

Mr Andrew Muir
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 18/12/2020
Answered On Date: 07/01/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health for an update on the timescales for provision of a new Primary and Community Care Centre in Bangor.

Answer:

A Hub in Bangor was included as part of the Primary Care Infrastructure Development Strategic Implementation Plan (SIP), however given the constraints on budgets it is likely that it will take longer to deliver all hub developments than was first envisaged. With this in mind, my Department and the Health and Social Care Board reviewed the schemes within Tranche 2 of the SIP to identify which hubs would be the next to be developed. The draft plan for Tranche 2 roll out includes a development to serve the population of the North Down and Newtownards area.

As capital budget allocations have not been approved beyond 2020/21, I do not have confirmation of funding for Hub schemes at this point. While the South Eastern Trust has commenced the business case for the area, which will enable them to avail of funding when it becomes available, its development has been constrained by the ongoing impact of Covid 19.