£1.7m Robinson Hospital upgrade moves closer as Northern Trust receives progress report

CGI showing proposed extension at Robinson Hospital

The Northern Health and Social Care Trust board has been given an update on the proposed refurbishment of the Robinson Hospital on Newal Road, Ballymoney.

Robinson Hospital, which opened in 1933, provides care for patients requiring rehabilitation, palliative care or further assessment following an acute hospital admission.

A report presented to Trust board members at a recent meeting said the project will deliver a new-build extension attached to the existing Robinson Memorial Hospital. The extension will house five new individual en suite bedrooms, an occupational therapy and physiotherapy rehabilitation room, a designated staff area, and a new plant room.

The contractor is due to commence on site on April 1, with construction works expected to be completed by July 2027, according to the report.

It indicated that £1.73 million in capital costs for the project will be funded by the Robinson Hospital Charitable Trust Funds, alongside £640,000 in funding held privately by the Robinson Board of Trustees.

An additional £404,000 in funding is required, with allocations due in 2027/28. Ongoing additional costs of almost £46,000 in 2027/28 and £58,000 from 2028/29 onwards have also been identified for utilities and cleaning.

Board members were also told that while construction works are taking place, the Northern Trust will be able to keep 16 beds open in the ward, with five beds outsourced to the independent sector.

It was noted that the cost per bed in the independent sector is estimated at £1,300 per week. The total cost for the 16-month period is projected to be £451,880, with £338,910 incurred in 2026/27 and £112,970 in 2027/28. The report also stated that staffing costs would be reduced during the same period.

The Northern Trust has previously acknowledged that the refurbishment has been made possible thanks to a charitable donation from the Robinson Trust.

In an online statement on the Trust’s website, Diane Spence, the Northern Trust’s director of community care, said:

“While the building itself is still in very good condition, some of the facilities within are outdated and not in keeping with modern-day improvements in the delivery of care.

“We are delighted to receive this very generous donation to be able to undertake this extension project, which will undoubtedly improve patient experience.

“This investment will also secure the future of the hospital and signals our long-term commitment to our staff. It will ensure that the Robinson Hospital continues to play a vital role in our wider Trust network and community care model.

“Patients will also benefit from the creation of a dedicated rehabilitation space. This space will provide the multi-disciplinary team and the patient with a valuable resource for therapeutic interventions which will support recovery and help maximise independence.”