Image source, Belfast Trust Image caption, Belfast Trust took possession of the new maternity hospital in March 2024 ByNiall BlaneyBBC News NI Published 4 November 2026, 06:00 GMT Updated 4 hours ago Almost £20m in additional costs due to problems at two Belfast Health Trust buildings has been described as "such terrible waste".
Newly-discovered issues with the Belfast maternity hospital could add almost £10m to the project's spiralling costs, while the amount spent on repairs and rehousing patients at the Acute Mental Health facility has now reached £9.4m.
Daniel McCrossan, who chairs the Public Accounts Committee, said: "We can't see such waste, such terrible waste, within our public sector and then still go to London and demand more [money]." The Department of Health (DoH) said the extra building costs are "disappointing" but it is essential they are "completed and delivered".
The maternity building on the Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH) site is already tens of millions of pounds over budget and more than a decade behind schedule.
The new costs mean the project will exceed £100m.
It is understood the latest problem at the maternity hospital has been caused by chemical flushing aimed at dealing with the original issue of bacteria in the water system.
