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Concern over wards merger plan

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Concern over merger of units
Relatives of patients have expressed concerns over plans to merge male and female units at a mental health facility in Belfast.

A ward at Knockbracken Healthcare Park, which was previously used solely for male patients, is being turned into a rehabilitation unit.

Men will be transferred into the all-female Rathlin ward this week.

The Belfast Trust said the move reflected the significant decrease in the need for acute in-patient beds.

Syd Trotter's daughter Nicola has been a patient at Rathlin House in Knockbracken Healthcare Park for the past seven years.

He said he was deeply concerned about the decision to merge the wards.

"You're putting ill male patients in a ward with very, very ill women who are very vulnerable. That in my view, and certainly I can speak for my daughter, is not practical, and not morally right", he said.

© UTV News

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