Hospital plans get the go-ahead

There are plans for 312 beds at the new hospital

Plans for a new 312 bed acute hospital in County Fermanagh have been given the green light by Environment minister Sammy Wilson.

Mr Wilson approved planning permission for the hospital, which will be situated on the Irvinestown Road, north of Enniskillen town.

The planning application is for a three to four storey high acute hospital on a 16 hectare site.

At basement level will be outpatients, A & E wards and operating theatres.

The planning application included 788 car parking spaces, workers' accommodation, a creche and an energy centre.

A new roundabout on the A32 Irvinestown Road and a bridge also formed part of the application.

"There has been a lot of debate and discussion over the years about an acute hospital for the south west," Mr Wilson said.

"This decision means the project has now moved significantly forward."

Health minister, Michael McGimpsey, welcomed the news that planning permission had been approved for the hospital.

"Once completed, this new hospital will be the first in Northern Ireland to provide 100% single rooms with en-suite facilities," he said.

"This will mean greater privacy for patients, as well as reducing the risk of healthcare associated infections.

"The new hospital will have a range of acute services, including 24-hour accident and emergency; inpatient services including medicine, surgery, paediatrics, obstetrics, gynaecology and critical care; and a range of diagnostic services and outpatient services."