Belfast Maternity Hospital Faces 28-Month Delay Over Water Contamination

Belfast's new maternity hospital, a long-delayed project initially expected to open this year, faces a further potential delay of 28 months due to contamination by pseudomonas bacteria in its water system. Health Minister Mike Nesbitt revealed that the Belfast Trust has reviewed three remediation options, with the preferred solution involving extensive work on the water system but without a guarantee of resolving the problem. The hospital, which is already significantly over budget and behind schedule, remains unused despite being described as a 'magnificent facility.' Nesbitt has asked for external expert advice and is reviewing the trust's recommendations to ensure all possible measures are taken to open the hospital safely. Political figures, including Alliance MLA Danny Donnelly and SDLP's Colin McGrath, have criticized the ongoing delays as unacceptable, highlighting concerns about project management and the impact on expectant mothers. The minister is also exploring whether parts of the hospital can be used while remediation continues and aims to better understand dissenting expert opinions on the chosen remediation plan.