A proposed haematology facility at Belfast City Hospital designed to serve cancer patients has encountered significant financial obstacles, according to statements made during a Stormont health committee session on Thursday.
The Belfast Health Trust had developed plans to construct a dedicated haematology unit that would require relocating approximately 80 staff members from their current locations within the hospital. However, the Department of Health conducted a review of the proposal and subsequently determined to withdraw £1.5m in funding that had been allocated to support the staff relocation, or “decant,” process. Trust leadership characterized this decision as problematic for the project’s viability. The Department of Health indicated it would cover most of the additional expenses associated with the facility while seeking to manage escalating capital project costs.
Project expenses have grown considerably since initial planning stages, rising from an estimated £8m to £19m. In response to the funding withdrawal, the Department of Health stated it expects the trust to finance approximately £1.05m of the project from its anticipated general capital allocation, which amounts to £20m annually over the next two years. The timeline for the facility has shifted substantially, with the planned opening now scheduled for March 2031, representing a one-year delay from the previous target date.
Belfast Trust Chief Executive Jennifer Welsh indicated that locating resources to facilitate the relocation of the 80 staff members remained a considerable challenge and emphasized the seriousness of the situation for the organization. She noted the issue was being escalated to senior leadership at the Department of Health. Assembly members from multiple parties raised concerns during committee discussions, with some characterizing the funding reduction as problematic given the specialized care needs of haematology patients, particularly those with compromised immune systems who require isolation capabilities within current hospital conditions.
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