This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Susan Deacon Visits Dumfries And Galloway
31/07/2000
Work on the new £10m Maternity and Day Surgery Unit at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary got officially underway today when the Scottish Health Minister, Susan Deacon, took part in an inauguration ceremony at the site.
The new unit, which will open towards the end of next year, will replace the ageing Cresswell Maternity Hospital and will provide 18 in-patient maternity beds and 13 neo-natal beds. It will also contain a new theatre, an endoscopy suite and recovery places for 30 patients.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the Minister said:
"This new Unit will greatly improve the quality and choices of care for women in Dumfries and Galloway.
"Having a baby is one of the most important events in life. Every woman deserves that experience to be as safe, comfortable and supported as possible.
"The provision of such modern and improved facilities is in line with our determination to build an NHS which is fit for patients and fit for the future. It once again highlights our commitment to build new hospital facilities which offer patients privacy in clean, modern wards and provides staff with the working environment of which they can be proud.
"I am delighted to be here in Dumfries today at this official inauguration ceremony and look forward to hearing about the progress on this new Maternity Unit."
The second visit of the day was to Kirkcudbright Health Centre where the Minister launched the Trust's new Intranet Service which links together all the primary care professionals across the region.
The visit also gave the Minister an opportunity to tour the new £119,500 extension to the centre and meet the manager of Stewarty Local Health Care Co-operative, Calum Campbell.
Launching the Intranet Service, the Minister said:
"The Scottish Executive is investing heavily in modern technology to create a better, more efficient service for NHS patients throughout Scotland.
"The Trust's new Intranet Service is an excellent example of how technology can be used to deliver modern patient-centred care. It will open up new opportunities for patients to choose how, when and where they receive treatment and for best practice to be shared throughout local communities."
The Minister also praised the improved facilities at the Health Centre.
"This extension will greatly enhance and support the excellent work which is already being carried out by local healthcare professionals in the town and I am sure these new facilities will be welcomed by staff and patients alike."
The final visits of the day were to Dalrymple Hospital and the Dick's Hill Community Project, both in Stranraer.
The hospital visit enabled the Minister to meet professionals, patients and carers and to discuss the development of new hospital facilities in the town.
At the Dick's Hill Project the Minister met 12 Community Agents from the project who are employed on a part-time basis to liase with the local community and promote positive health messages in the area.
The Minister was accompanied on a walkabout to see how deprivation challenges the area and hear about the Project's plans to tackle these difficulties.
News Release: SE2141/2000
31 Jul 2000