28th January 2025
Following a £0.5m extension, Ballymoney Health Centre patients will now benefit from an additional five consulting rooms for their appointments.
From Left to Right – Martin Hayes, Programme Manager PCID, Dr Johnny Burns and Dr Gillian Loughridge – Ballymoney Health Centre
The extension was funded by the Primary Care Infrastructure Team within the Department of Health (DoH), and developed in conjunction with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, along with both GP practices.
Ballymoney Health Centre is located on the Robinson Hospital site and accommodates Ballymoney Family Practice, which has recently merged with Dr Fannin and Partners’ Practice, which were historically also located within the Health Centre.
Martin Hayes, Programme Director said: “Supporting investment in GP practices is a key priority for the DoH. Approximately £6.4 million of funding has been provided across the Northern Health and Social Care Trust area in the last 6 years, to increase capacity within primary care premises. I was delighted to visit the practice to see and hear about the significant benefits of the investment.”
Dr Jill Overend , Consulting Room No 5
The Practices accommodated within the Health Centre were previously operating at close to full capacity with insufficient space to accommodate additional services, including expanding the GP training capacity.
The new single storey extension located to the front of the existing Health Centre now offers two new GP training consulting rooms, three additional consulting rooms and the ability to accommodate two new GP Trainees – a positive step in future proofing services for the Ballymoney area.
Karina, Practice Pharmacist said, “The new renovations have breathed new life into the practice. The place is comfortable, spacious, bright and welcoming for staff and especially patients. The feedback from patients has been very positive. As a staff member working in one of the new rooms, I can’t fault anything.”
According to Dr Loughridge, “The extension has provided a bright, spacious and comfortable setting for patients to wait for their appointments. They often comment favourably about the standard of the waiting area and the GP rooms. As a GP working in the new extension, my consulting room is bright and warm and provides a welcoming space for patients.”
From Left to Right – Brigid McNabb, Amy Ferris, Kathryn McKeeman & Lindsay Doey (reception)
Brigid & Dawn, Senior Receptionists said, “The new extension has been very beneficial to the practice and I feel that we as staff have benefited too as we are able to allocate locums, GP/Pharmacists and other health professionals to rooms, as we have more availability and space. The Patients have an extra disabled toilet facility which they are making use of.
As a member of staff and a patient of the practice, the waiting area is very well designed and modern. This space always looks clean and tidy.”
Nuala, Practice Manager said, “The new extension is bright and modern. It has allowed the Practice to expand and offer additional clinics, including having locum GPs for winter pressures and pharmacists running health promotion clinics. All of this has helped the smooth running of the Practice. Patients have aired their satisfaction with the building and the clinics which we provide from there.”