HEALTH MINISTER PRAISES MAGNIFICENT WORK OF MEDICAL STAFF
HEALTH MINISTER PRAISES 'MAGNIFICENT' WORK OF MEDICAL STAFF
MEDICAL staff who treated victims of the Omagh car bombing have been congratulated by Health and Social Services Minister, Mr. John McFall.
Mr. McFall has written to Mr. Richard Scott, chairman of Sperrin Lakeland Health and Social Care Trust, and general practitioners in the area to salute the work of "the many staff who contributed so magnificently".
The Northern Ireland Minister has written, too, to the neighbouring Armagh and Dungannon Trust, Altnagelvin Trust, the ambulance service, the Belfast Hospitals, and Health and Personal Social Services (HPSS) staff.
He relayed his appreciation and admiration for the efforts of all staff, and said he knew they were dedicated to serving the community, applying their skills to maintaining health and well-being.
"What happened in Omagh was a horror with no regard for human life," said Mr. McFall. "Staff in Northern Ireland have had to cope with the consequences of terrorism on too many occasions over the last 30 years, and their dedication and commitment is known and admired far beyond the Province." Mr. McFall told Mr. Scott that, on his many visits to the town since the bombing, he had been left in no doubt from talking to many of the injured and their relatives, that the response of Trust staff in the immediate aftermath of the explosion was beyond description.
He said it had ensured as many as possible of the injured and dying were tended, and directed as quickly as possible, to where the appropriate medical treatment could be applied.
"In this you were assisted by emergency services, the community at large, and many volunteers from elsewhere. The work of your staff in those early hours ensured that many of those injured in the explosion had the maximum chance of survival in Tyrone County and otehr hospitals, which were involved on Saturday Night.
'Pressures'
"The pressures on your staff were all the more intense as the injured came from your own community, and included, in many cases, friends and relatives of staff on duty," he told Mr. Scott.
Stating that it would be a long road to recovery for the injured and damaged, Mr. McFall added that the Trust would have a major role to play in rehabilitating the many victims.
"I know you will also want to play a role in the wider work of the recovery of the Omagh community. I can assure you that you will have my full personal support, that of my successors, and the assistance of my Department, in this work in the months and years ahead," he said.
Mr. McFall told HPSS staff he had been saddened that so soon after his appointment he had found himself caught up with the consequences of the horror which befell Omagh.
He said he had spoken to survivors, relatives and staff in Omagh, Enniskillen, Londonderry, Dungannon and Belfast. So had the Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair, the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. John Prescott, and Secretary of State, Dr. Mo Mowlam, said Mr. McFall.
"I have been struck and moved by the dedication and commitment shown by every member of staff dealing with the consequences of the bombing," he wrote in his letter to HPSS personnel.
"It is clear to me that, but for the sheer skill and professionalism displayed, particularly in the immediate aftermath on Saturday night, the death toll might have been higher.
"I know the staff throughout the health and personal social services have responded immediately and spontaneously in offering to help and assist those at the front line, and that their efforts to care for, heal and rehabilitate all those affected by the tragedy will again be a collective effort."
Mr. McFall said he intended to continue his round of visits to staff, who, he acknowledged,would continue with dedication to care for those affected by the bombing.
MEDICAL staff who treated victims of the Omagh car bombing have been congratulated by Health and Social Services Minister, Mr. John McFall.
Mr. McFall has written to Mr. Richard Scott, chairman of Sperrin Lakeland Health and Social Care Trust, and general practitioners in the area to salute the work of "the many staff who contributed so magnificently".
The Northern Ireland Minister has written, too, to the neighbouring Armagh and Dungannon Trust, Altnagelvin Trust, the ambulance service, the Belfast Hospitals, and Health and Personal Social Services (HPSS) staff.
He relayed his appreciation and admiration for the efforts of all staff, and said he knew they were dedicated to serving the community, applying their skills to maintaining health and well-being.
"What happened in Omagh was a horror with no regard for human life," said Mr. McFall. "Staff in Northern Ireland have had to cope with the consequences of terrorism on too many occasions over the last 30 years, and their dedication and commitment is known and admired far beyond the Province." Mr. McFall told Mr. Scott that, on his many visits to the town since the bombing, he had been left in no doubt from talking to many of the injured and their relatives, that the response of Trust staff in the immediate aftermath of the explosion was beyond description.
He said it had ensured as many as possible of the injured and dying were tended, and directed as quickly as possible, to where the appropriate medical treatment could be applied.
"In this you were assisted by emergency services, the community at large, and many volunteers from elsewhere. The work of your staff in those early hours ensured that many of those injured in the explosion had the maximum chance of survival in Tyrone County and otehr hospitals, which were involved on Saturday Night.
'Pressures'
"The pressures on your staff were all the more intense as the injured came from your own community, and included, in many cases, friends and relatives of staff on duty," he told Mr. Scott.
Stating that it would be a long road to recovery for the injured and damaged, Mr. McFall added that the Trust would have a major role to play in rehabilitating the many victims.
"I know you will also want to play a role in the wider work of the recovery of the Omagh community. I can assure you that you will have my full personal support, that of my successors, and the assistance of my Department, in this work in the months and years ahead," he said.
Mr. McFall told HPSS staff he had been saddened that so soon after his appointment he had found himself caught up with the consequences of the horror which befell Omagh.
He said he had spoken to survivors, relatives and staff in Omagh, Enniskillen, Londonderry, Dungannon and Belfast. So had the Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair, the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. John Prescott, and Secretary of State, Dr. Mo Mowlam, said Mr. McFall.
"I have been struck and moved by the dedication and commitment shown by every member of staff dealing with the consequences of the bombing," he wrote in his letter to HPSS personnel.
"It is clear to me that, but for the sheer skill and professionalism displayed, particularly in the immediate aftermath on Saturday night, the death toll might have been higher.
"I know the staff throughout the health and personal social services have responded immediately and spontaneously in offering to help and assist those at the front line, and that their efforts to care for, heal and rehabilitate all those affected by the tragedy will again be a collective effort."
Mr. McFall said he intended to continue his round of visits to staff, who, he acknowledged,would continue with dedication to care for those affected by the bombing.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/0289
Published Date: 27-Aug-98
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