Health Minister Mike Nesbitt, MLA, visited Bangor Hospital and Scrabo Children’s Centre at Ards Hospital, where he met with staff and learned about the vital services provided at both sites.
At Bangor Hospital, the Minister was welcomed by the Director of Primary Care and Older People, Clare-Marie Dickson, Assistant Director of Allied Health Professionals Workforce, Julie Alexander and the Clinical Director of Community Dental Services, Karen Maxwell. The Minister was briefed on the range of Allied Health Professional outpatient services available, including Orthopaedic ICATS, Radiology X-rays and Dexa scans, Orthoptics, Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Speech and Language Therapy and the services of the Community Stroke Team.
During the visit, Minister Nesbitt toured the newly upgraded dental suite and engaged with Community Dental Service staff. He learned about the referral-only service that provides essential dental care for individuals with special care needs, such as those with learning disabilities, significant medical conditions, mental illness, physical disabilities and severe anxiety or behavioural difficulties.
The Minister then proceeded to Scrabo Children’s Centre where he was warmly welcomed by Assistant Director for Cared for Children, Maurice Largey and Assistant Director of Children and Young People’s Healthcare, Julie Kilpatrick. The Minister had the opportunity to meet with staff and explore the facility and was informed about the diverse range of services available in the Centre, including the Children’s ASD Service, ADHD Service, Community Children’s Nursing Service and Special Educational Needs Service. Plans to expand the Children’s Disability Service were also discussed, aiming to enhance early intervention, short break provision, residential care options and Edge of Care support for young people transitioning into adulthood.
Speaking after the visits, Minister Nesbitt said, “It was a great opportunity to meet the staff at both Bangor Hospital and Scrabo Children’s Centre and to see how highly motivated they are. They are real professionals, very compassionate people and this combination is essential in delivering good healthcare. This was my first visit to Bangor Hospital, there was a really good feel about it!”
“Scrabo Children’s Centre is a lovely bright airy Centre where they do so much to help children, particularly the vulnerable and those with exceptional needs. It was a great opportunity to hear the developments in respect of the Children’s Disability Service and the short breaks for children with severe learning disabilities and autism.
“When I first became aware of the shortage of residential short breaks for children with severe learning disabilities and autism, the initial challenge was finding some money, but actually money is only part of the solution. It is about the beds and above all, it is about is a workforce that is appropriately trained and highly motivated because you have to want to do that job as it can be really challenging. This can be a difficult role at times, so I commend the workforce and I would like to see as much of this money as possible going to ensure that they are rewarded and trained to do this difficult job.”
Delighted to welcome the Minister to Bangor Hospital, Julie Alexander stated, “It was a pleasure to let the Minister see the wealth of advanced practice that is taking place in respect of Allied Health Professionals and Dentistry. It was great to showcase Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Orthoptics, Speech and Language Therapy and all those services that are based here that work within an outpatient service, but also those that go out into the community and meet people at their point of need in their own homes. It was wonderful that Dentistry was also represented as our Dentists in our community are exceptional at going out and meeting people in their own environments at times when their need is greatest.”
Delighted that the Minister visited Scrabo Children’s Centre, Julie Kilpatrick commented, “It was lovely to welcome the Minister to hear first-hand about the challenges that Children’s Services are facing in relation to increased capacity and increased demands on the service. It was wonderful for the staff to be able to meet with the Minister directly and to hear from those on the frontline who are working with children and families on a daily basis, that means so much to them.”
Maurice Largey added, “We are grateful to the Minister for taking the time to visit Scrabo Children’s Centre and to thank him for the recent investment of £13.4 million which is extremely welcome. Development of the future infrastructure for residential short breaks and residential care placements as well as the home agenda is required to bring the whole service model to fruition in line with the four main priorities of the Children’s Disability Framework. I thank the Minister for taking the time to speak to our staff, it really is greatly appreciated and makes them feel valued.”
