It has been revealed by Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital that its long-delayed new maternity unit could be built five years ahead of schedule. The review will now be scrutinized to look at the best clinical use of part of the new Critical Care building in Belfast, which is presently under construction.

Currently there is one option, which has been taken under consideration which includes locating the new maternity unit in the top three floors of this building. Other options include locating another priority service in the top floors or continuing with the original plans.

Northern Island's Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey, said "Given the current challenging economic climate facing the Health and Social Care service in Northern Ireland, it is vital that any funds are invested in areas of greatest need".

According to the Minister, he had always been committed to building the Women's and Children's hospitals but severe cuts to his capital budget had meant that these projects could not happen as quickly as he would have wanted.

This review provides a real opportunity to achieve at least one of these much needed projects in a much quicker timescale. If this option was feasible, the Women's Hospital could be built by 2012/13 - up to five years faster than under the current proposals. Besides this, the proposal has potential to save a massive amount of money as much as £100million.