Robinson Hospital Refurbishment Plans Set Out To Trust board

The Northern Health and Social Care Trust board has been updated on plans to refurbish the Robinson Hospital on Newal Road in Ballymoney.

Northern Health and Social Care Trust members were told the proposals involve a new-build extension to the existing Robinson Memorial Hospital, which first opened in 1933. The facility provides care for patients requiring rehabilitation, palliative care, or further assessment following an acute hospital admission.

A report presented to the board said the extension will include 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 begin work on site on 1 April, with construction expected to be completed by July 2027. Capital costs of £1.73m will be met through the Robinson Hospital Charitable Trust Funds, alongside £640,000 held privately by the Robinson Board of Trustees.

The report noted that a further £404,000 in funding will be required, with allocations expected in the 2027–28 financial year. Ongoing additional costs of almost £46,000 in 2027–28 and £58,000 from 2028–29 onwards have also been identified to cover utilities and cleaning.

During the construction period, board members were told the Trust will be able to keep 16 beds open on the ward, with a further five beds outsourced to the independent sector. The cost per bed in the independent sector is estimated at £1,300 per week. The total cost over the 16-month period is projected at £451,880, with £338,910 falling in 2026–27 and £112,970 in 2027–28. Staffing costs are expected to be reduced over the same period.

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

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“While the building itself is still in very good condition, some of the facilities within are outdated and not in keeping with modern-day improvements in the delivery of care.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