Derry Hospital Staff

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Altnagelvin Area Hospital opened in 1960 as the first major hospital built in the United Kingdom after the Second World War. In February 2003, the hospital was designated as one of the nine acute hospitals in the acute hospital network of Northern Ireland on which healthcare would be focused under the government health policy 'Developing Better Services'. A new renal hemodialysis unit was completed in 2005, and a new laboratory and pharmacy centre, procured under a private finance initiative contract, opened in 2007. A new south wing, designed by HLM Architects and built at a cost of £45 million, was completed in 2010. In January 2011, it was revealed that 18,500 xrays taken in 2009 and 2010 in Altnagelvin's Medical Imaging Department had not been examined by a radiologist. As a result, four patients with cancer had their diagnosis delayed by several months. In March 2011 a political row developed when Health Minister Michael McGimpsey announced the postponement of plans to develop a regional radiotherapy unit at the hospital.

In Their Own Story

The Western Division of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) is headquartered at the Ambulance Station that is located within the hospital grounds. The hospital is a teaching hospital, and has research and teaching links with Queen's University Belfast, the National University of Ireland, Galway and Ulster University.

Reader's Guide

The hospital provides services to the city of Derry and County Londonderry, but also some specialist and acute services for parts of neighbouring County Donegal, County Tyrone, County Antrim and County Fermanagh. It is managed by the Western Health and Social Care Trust. The hospital's history includes significant developments: the 2005 renal hemodialysis unit, the 2007 laboratory and pharmacy centre, and the 2010 south wing costing £45 million. A notable incident in 2011 involved 18,500 unexamined xrays from 2009 and 2010, leading to delayed cancer diagnoses for four patients. The hospital also faced political controversy in March 2011 when Health Minister Michael McGimpsey postponed plans for a regional radiotherapy unit.

Did You Know?

• Altnagelvin Area Hospital was the first major hospital built in the United Kingdom after the Second World War, opening in 1960.
• In January 2011, it was revealed that 18,500 xrays taken in 2009 and 2010 had not been examined by a radiologist, delaying cancer diagnoses for four patients.
• A new south wing was completed in 2010 at a cost of £45 million, designed by HLM Architects.
• The hospital is a teaching hospital with links to Queen's University Belfast, the National University of Ireland, Galway and Ulster University.
• The Western Division of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service is headquartered at an Ambulance Station within the hospital grounds.