A new private hospital at a former B&Q warehouse in Belfast looks set to get the green light.
Affidea, Europe’s biggest medical care provider, announced its bid for the new facility on Boucher Road in 2023 — potentially creating up to 120 new jobs.
The application, submitted by Norlin EV, is being recommended for approval at Belfast City Council’s Planning Committee meeting next week.
It’s understood that services would cover minor injuries and illness, surgical capacity and endoscopy, with the project bringing 120 new jobs. It would also add a diagnostic imaging facility which could handle up to 50,000 patients a year.
The application is for a private medical facility, which would include the change of use of part of the retail warehouse and the extension of the building. The facility will include a “significant element of overnight residential care”, according to plans.
Planners said the application is “considered acceptable” and that it is “recommended that planning permission is granted subject to conditions”.
No objections were received for the scheme; however, NI Water had recommended its refusal due to “insufficient capacity at Belfast Wastewater Treatment Works and associated sewer network”.
Those behind the scheme have said it will add to existing services in Northern Ireland and address waiting lists affecting the NHS.
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The plans would see units A and B at 48 Boucher Road being redeveloped.
Speaking about the plans when they were first revealed last year, Barry Downes, chief executive of Affidea Ireland, said: “We are excited to bring forward our plans for a new medical facility on the Boucher Road.
“We have long felt that there was a gap in the Northern Irish market for a modern, patient-centric, digitally advanced medical facility.
“We are hoping to bring the best of what medical services we provide in other countries, such as advanced orthopaedic procedures from our Fortius Clinic in Great Britain and the expertise of our women’s health business in Switzerland, to the people of Northern Ireland.
“A key focus for Affidea is the provision of increased access to world-class medical care in modern clinical environments, and we hope that the people of Northern Ireland will soon benefit from the most modern, patient-centric facility of its kind.”
Elsewhere, work is underway to expand and develop a major healthcare park at the former King’s Hall site, while last year a major health facility was given the go-ahead for Belfast city centre.
Healthworks on Great Victoria Street is being developed by O’Connor McCann to include occupational health services, pharmacies and GP practices.
O’Connor McCann said the development would serve the growing inner-city population around Weavers Court, as well as students living between Queen’s University in south Belfast and Ulster University in the north of the city.
Meanwhile, Kingsbridge Healthcare Group is Northern Ireland’s biggest private healthcare provider, with two facilities in Belfast, one in the north west and another in Sligo in the Republic of Ireland. It provides healthcare to private patients and has contracts with state healthcare on both sides of the border.
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News Catch Up: Friday 17th January