Downshire the venue for new health service store

Downshire the venue for new health service store

11 January 2012

THE South Eastern Trust has opened a new equipment store in Downpatrick.

The facility, which stores mobility aids and other equipment to allow people to remain living independently at home, is located at the Downshire Hospital site.

The store replaces a temporary facility at the Struell Wells Road which the Trust has been using since its former home at the Downshire was bulldozed several years ago to make way for the new Downe Hospital.

Local politicians had feared the temporary store was to be closed and moved to Lisburn and are pleased it has now been retained in Downpatrick in new accommodation.

The new facility includes parking to facilitate staff loading equipment for transport to clients. The front  of the building houses returned equipment which is transported to the

Business Service Organisation’s (BSO) Procurement and Logistics Service at Lissue in Lisburn where it is decontaminated and, if fit for purpose, reissued to clients.

The main part of the new building at the Downshire houses clean equipment which staff can easily access to take to clients in the local Downpatrick area.

Trust officials say most of this equipment, such as mobility aids, is essential to clients to enable them to remain independently within their own homes.

Margaret Moorehead, the Trust’s assistant director of Allied Health Professionals, said the organisation’s estate’s department has been key in the renovation of the store, in particular Philip McMaster, who was project co-ordinator.

She continued: “Stephen Mills and Jim Clarke from the Business Services Organisation worked tirelessly over the Christmas and New Year holidays to ensure a smooth transition for staff and I would like to thank them for all the help and support they have provided.”

Downpatrick councillor Liam Johnston says he’s pleased the store has been retained in the town and will continue to play a key role in the lives of many people.

“No one wants to see services and workers being moved out of the area. I have no doubt staff are delighted their jobs have been retained in Downpatrick,” he added.

Meanwhile, Trust officials have appealed to anyone with equipment they no longer require to contact the BSO’s Procurement & Logistics Service on (028) 9262 2111

to make arrangements to have it collected from their home.