COUNCILLORS GIVE UNANIMOUS SUPPORT FOR BURNS UNIT
Councillors give unanimous support for burns unit
By Olga Bradshaw
OMAGH'S councillors have given unanimous support to the Keys and McGillion families who have vowed to fundraise to get equipment for the burns unit at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast.
At their monthly meeting they united to condemn the lack of action by health officials in ensuring the requisite level of equipment was available at the unit, which led to the departure of eminent burns surgeon Dr. Khan.
They are also to write to the Royal Group of Hospitals Trust outlining their concern and anger, and highlighted that negative press coverage of the situation did not auger well for any attempt in the future to try and fill the position.
Councillors were told that the authorities had advertised for a locum to replace Dr. Khan.
Mrs. Ann Gormley also informed the meeting that those currently being treated by Dr. Khan would be offered transport to Nottingham to continue treatment with him, which she slammed as "a false economy" and "mismanagement".
Mr. Joe Byrne commented that it appeared as though there might be a move on to close the Belfast unit in preference to augmenting the unit at the Ulster Hospital, Dundonald.
However, he stressed that the Belfast unit provided key specialist treatments for those with serious burn injuries and reconstructive surgery for women who had undergone breast removals, both of which could be jeopardised.
He also stressed that some of those people severely injured in the Omagh bomb would require Dr. Khan's surgical skills for the next five years or more.
Mr. Barry McElduff asked that the council write to the Health Minister in the Republic to ascertain what the provision was, and to explore the possibility of providing a pan-Ireland burns service for those who needed it.
Mr. Johnny McLaughlin stressed that he was disgusted to learn that an eminent surgeon like Dr. Khan had never been granted a full-time permanent contract during his time with the unit.
By Olga Bradshaw
OMAGH'S councillors have given unanimous support to the Keys and McGillion families who have vowed to fundraise to get equipment for the burns unit at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast.
At their monthly meeting they united to condemn the lack of action by health officials in ensuring the requisite level of equipment was available at the unit, which led to the departure of eminent burns surgeon Dr. Khan.
They are also to write to the Royal Group of Hospitals Trust outlining their concern and anger, and highlighted that negative press coverage of the situation did not auger well for any attempt in the future to try and fill the position.
Councillors were told that the authorities had advertised for a locum to replace Dr. Khan.
Mrs. Ann Gormley also informed the meeting that those currently being treated by Dr. Khan would be offered transport to Nottingham to continue treatment with him, which she slammed as "a false economy" and "mismanagement".
Mr. Joe Byrne commented that it appeared as though there might be a move on to close the Belfast unit in preference to augmenting the unit at the Ulster Hospital, Dundonald.
However, he stressed that the Belfast unit provided key specialist treatments for those with serious burn injuries and reconstructive surgery for women who had undergone breast removals, both of which could be jeopardised.
He also stressed that some of those people severely injured in the Omagh bomb would require Dr. Khan's surgical skills for the next five years or more.
Mr. Barry McElduff asked that the council write to the Health Minister in the Republic to ascertain what the provision was, and to explore the possibility of providing a pan-Ireland burns service for those who needed it.
Mr. Johnny McLaughlin stressed that he was disgusted to learn that an eminent surgeon like Dr. Khan had never been granted a full-time permanent contract during his time with the unit.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/0850
Published Date: 08-Feb-01
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