ASSEMBLY PRAISE FOR VITAL ROLE PLAYED BY HOSPITAL
Assembly praise for vital role played by hospital
THE vital role played by the Tyrone County Hospital in helping those injured in the August 15 bomb atrocity was highlighted by local representatives during a debate in the Northern Ireland Assembly on Tuesday.
All six West Tyrone Assemblymen made their maiden speeches during the three hour long debate on the bombing.
Parties from all backgrounds condemned those who carried out the attack, and there was a direct challenge to the Sinn Fein leader, Mr. Gerry Adams to use his influence to have IRA Semtex decommissioned.
But it was the response of the people of Omagh which the local representatives concentrated upon.
They spoke of the sterling work of the hospital, the public and the emergency services, and the dignity shown by all who had been bereaved or injured.
The debate was opened by Mr. Derek Hussey, of the UUP, who said tributes should be paid to all those who became involved in the rescue operation after the blast. They included police officers, fire-fighters, ambulance personnel, doctors, nurses, bus drivers, soldiers, RAF crew, council workers and the people on the street.
"All deserve the highest praise possible. All involved did the very best could, and no one could ask more. I have nothing but the highest admiration for all involved," he said.
Many hospitals swung into operation to receive the victims, and all, too, deserved praise.
Skill
He said: "In particular the task undertaken by Omagh's Tyrone County Hospital must be highlighted. The skill and expertise of their staff in the performance of emergency operations and stabilisation of the injured prior to transfer to other acute hospitals undoubtedly saved lives."
"The value of such local hospital services cannot be over-stressed, and must not be forgotten in any future Health Board plans," he said.
Mr. Hussey said the excellent and speedy co-ordination of an incident centre and subsequent counselling service undertaken by Omagh District Council and local clergy also deserved commendation.
Mr. Joe Byrne (SDLP) said the way in which medical staff and nursing staff at the hospital had responded was remarkable.
"The Tyrone County is only a small scale hospital which has sadly, been run down over recent years. I can tell you in this Assembly that the families of the injured and the injured themselves deeply appreciate the care and attention they got at our hospital," he said.
"Many patients had to be treated very quickly before being transferred to the other hospitals through-out Northern Ireland." Mr. Dominic Pinto, the senior consultant, and his entire medical team, and the other staff at the hospital deserve the highest praise and appreciation for their dedicated and highly professional efforts in the midst of such terrible injuries and trauma.
"Indeed, many patients and their families have asked me to place on record their thanks to the doctors, nurses, ambulance personnel and all who helped the dying and injured."
"Many patients who were transferred to Enniskillen, Dungannon, Londonderry and hospitals in Belfast are very grateful for the initial treatment at Omagh, before being dispatched in ambulances and helicopters."
"It is a fact that Omagh is a garrison town, and resident Army helicopters were summoned to help. Indeed, at one time, there were five Army helicopters stacked up over our hospitals waiting to ferry patients to other hospitals."
Praise
He went on to praise the many other groups which had helped after the bomb, and commended the efforts of the district council staff, led by the chief executive, Mr. John McKinney.
He also had special praise for the town's clergy who did a magnificent job in consoling and dealing with the many families suffering at a time of death and injury.
Mr. Barry McElduff (Sinn Fein) said he had no doubt that the death toll would have been significantly higher but for the Tyrone County Hospital.
"That is my compelling argument to ensure that the Tyrone County Hospital is retained as a first class acute services' hospital," he said.
"Indeed it should be upgraded and expanded." "It would be terrible if it were not retained - that whole swathe of rural territory west of the River Bann would be disadvantaged," added Mr. McElduff.
THE vital role played by the Tyrone County Hospital in helping those injured in the August 15 bomb atrocity was highlighted by local representatives during a debate in the Northern Ireland Assembly on Tuesday.
All six West Tyrone Assemblymen made their maiden speeches during the three hour long debate on the bombing.
Parties from all backgrounds condemned those who carried out the attack, and there was a direct challenge to the Sinn Fein leader, Mr. Gerry Adams to use his influence to have IRA Semtex decommissioned.
But it was the response of the people of Omagh which the local representatives concentrated upon.
They spoke of the sterling work of the hospital, the public and the emergency services, and the dignity shown by all who had been bereaved or injured.
The debate was opened by Mr. Derek Hussey, of the UUP, who said tributes should be paid to all those who became involved in the rescue operation after the blast. They included police officers, fire-fighters, ambulance personnel, doctors, nurses, bus drivers, soldiers, RAF crew, council workers and the people on the street.
"All deserve the highest praise possible. All involved did the very best could, and no one could ask more. I have nothing but the highest admiration for all involved," he said.
Many hospitals swung into operation to receive the victims, and all, too, deserved praise.
Skill
He said: "In particular the task undertaken by Omagh's Tyrone County Hospital must be highlighted. The skill and expertise of their staff in the performance of emergency operations and stabilisation of the injured prior to transfer to other acute hospitals undoubtedly saved lives."
"The value of such local hospital services cannot be over-stressed, and must not be forgotten in any future Health Board plans," he said.
Mr. Hussey said the excellent and speedy co-ordination of an incident centre and subsequent counselling service undertaken by Omagh District Council and local clergy also deserved commendation.
Mr. Joe Byrne (SDLP) said the way in which medical staff and nursing staff at the hospital had responded was remarkable.
"The Tyrone County is only a small scale hospital which has sadly, been run down over recent years. I can tell you in this Assembly that the families of the injured and the injured themselves deeply appreciate the care and attention they got at our hospital," he said.
"Many patients had to be treated very quickly before being transferred to the other hospitals through-out Northern Ireland." Mr. Dominic Pinto, the senior consultant, and his entire medical team, and the other staff at the hospital deserve the highest praise and appreciation for their dedicated and highly professional efforts in the midst of such terrible injuries and trauma.
"Indeed, many patients and their families have asked me to place on record their thanks to the doctors, nurses, ambulance personnel and all who helped the dying and injured."
"Many patients who were transferred to Enniskillen, Dungannon, Londonderry and hospitals in Belfast are very grateful for the initial treatment at Omagh, before being dispatched in ambulances and helicopters."
"It is a fact that Omagh is a garrison town, and resident Army helicopters were summoned to help. Indeed, at one time, there were five Army helicopters stacked up over our hospitals waiting to ferry patients to other hospitals."
Praise
He went on to praise the many other groups which had helped after the bomb, and commended the efforts of the district council staff, led by the chief executive, Mr. John McKinney.
He also had special praise for the town's clergy who did a magnificent job in consoling and dealing with the many families suffering at a time of death and injury.
Mr. Barry McElduff (Sinn Fein) said he had no doubt that the death toll would have been significantly higher but for the Tyrone County Hospital.
"That is my compelling argument to ensure that the Tyrone County Hospital is retained as a first class acute services' hospital," he said.
"Indeed it should be upgraded and expanded." "It would be terrible if it were not retained - that whole swathe of rural territory west of the River Bann would be disadvantaged," added Mr. McElduff.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1195
Published Date: 17-Sep-98
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