A new £150 million sterling Co Tyrone hospital will include a major mental health facility and a state-of-the-art medical centre, it emerged today.
Plans for development in Omagh, which will be completed by 2010/11, are subject to British government approval.
But Health Minister Paul Goggins hailed the significance of the Sperrin Lakeland Trust's blueprint.
Mr Goggins said: "This is very good news for patients in the south west.
"I note that the estimated cost of the development has risen from £95 million to £150 million to take account of the Trust's proposals for a new mental health facility and health and care centre.
"The new local hospital will provide a wide range of services and will complement the new acute hospital planned for the area."
The minister praised the Trust for preparing the outline business case and said it was important to secure approval for it as quickly as possible.
Work on the project, which will provide up to 80 per cent of hospital services required by the local population, is expected to start in 2008.