HOSPITALS DEALT WITH 382 BOMB CASUALTIES
Hospitals dealt with 382 bomb casualties, doctor tells health council
THE biggest burden is yet to come for those injured and those who took part in the emergency operation after the Omagh bomb blast, the Sperrin Lakeland Trust's medical director, Dr. Clive Russell, told members of the Western Health and Social Services Council.
He said the reactions and trauma for many staff and members of the public were only just starting, and there would be a need for long-term counselling.
Dr. Russell outlined the work of the County Hospital and the other units in Northern Ireland which had dealt with the 382 casualties of the explosion.
A total of 128 were admitted to hospital. By any scale that would be classed as a major disaster anywhere in Europe, Dr. Russell said.
Dr. Russell said that, like any Saturday, the County was quiet on the day of the explosion with only a handful of junior medical staff on duty, and the usual complement of nurses.
He paid tribute to Sister Bridie McMenamin who quickly activated the major disaster plan.
And he also paid tribute to the many medical professionals and members of the emergency services for the roles they played.
At times there were staff from other hospitals and holidaymaking doctors helping out, including a coastguard who made his way from Tobermore to help in the helicopter transfers, he said.
Within 35 minutes six wards were dealing with injured people. During the early evening three surgical theatres were in operation, he said.
Dr. Russell said that as well as those at the County, staff at Altnagelvin, Erne Hospital, South Tyrone, the Royal Victoria and Ulster Hospital played a magnificent role in treating the badly injured.
It had been a team effort, Dr. Russell said, and he told the health council of a comment made by the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. John Prescott, when he visited the hospital: "He said to me 'when we need you, the health service never lets us down', and he was right".
Dark cloud
Health Council chairman, Mr. Frank Hughes, said it "met under the long shadow of a dark cloud."
He reiterated the statement he issued at the time commending health staff for the work they did in caring for those caught up in the blast.
He extended sympathy, in particular to Mrs. Doreen McFarland, a former temporary secretary, at the health council, whose daughter, Samantha died, and to Health Council member, Mrs. Grace White, whose daughter-in-law, Norma, was badly injured.
Mrs. White said her daughter-in-law owed her survival to staff at the County.
"If she had not received initial treatment in the County we would not have her here at all," she said.
Mr. Liam McQuaid, who is also a member of Omagh District Council, said he had heard figures of 247 quoted as the number of injured, but had not realized the actual total was 382.
Said Mr. McQuaid: "If we had not had Tyrone County Hospital, I do not know what would have happened.
"We cannot over-emphasise the compliments we pay to the staff at the County, and to those at Erne Hospital and Altnagelvin Hospital for care and attention that was out of this world.
"Ambulance personnel and police worked tremendously hard, and many people are still numbed by what they experienced."
Mr. McQuaid said a lot of work still had to be done for those recovering in hospital and at home.
He said: "It does not end here, it will live on for generations."
It was not just the County, though, that did so much good work, Dr. Russell said.
He said Altnagelvin bore an enormous burden, with many of the most seriously ill being taken there. Surgeons there worked almost continuously with the victims for two days after the blast.
And Dr. Russell said that plastic surgeons at the Ulster Hospital told him there was no waiting list work done there for four weeks because Omagh victims were being cared for.
Echoing Mr. McQuaid's view that there was still much work to be done, Mr. Russell said: "My psychologists tell me the biggest burden is yet to come."
Trauma
He said the reactions and trauma for many staff and members of the public were only just starting.
Mr. Patrick Bogan said Omagh's darkest day was Tyrone County Hospital's brightest hour.
He said Dr. Russell was being humble in downplaying the County's role.
Mr. Mark Durkan said all recognised the role played by the various hospitals and the people who turned in to help.
"One thing which has come through to me from surgeons at the Royal Victoria Hospital and Altnagelvin Hospital was their recognition of the quality of initial care people received at the County.
"They said to me they were surprised that every patient who came to them was exactly right for the treatment they needed. By the scale of what happened, somebody should have been in the wrong place," he said.
Mr Shaun Gallagher said it was in the years to come that people would see the impact of the Omagh bomb.
Mr Fergus McQuillan said no one ever dreamed there would be a tragedy on this scale in Omagh, but the hospital was prepared.
Mr. James O'Kane said the Health Council had to applaud in the highest manner the work done by the County staff. He said he did not think most people were really aware of the work done there.
One of those who turned up to help at the county was Dr. Maureen Halliday, who had (formerly) worked there. She attended the meeting as a member of the public, and gave some of her reactions.
She spoke of being in the casualty unit when senior surgeon, Mr. Dominic Pinto, came in, and the reaction of horror on his face when he realized he could not see the floor for injured people.
One of the most difficult things for medical staff had been dealing with people they knew, she said.
The dignity of people waiting for treatment was immense, Dr. Halliday said. All waited their turn, and at times would say "look after someone else first, they are in more need".
Now that the initial stage of treatment was coming to an end, Dr. Halliday said she hoped all in the community would have the strength to help the injured.
THE biggest burden is yet to come for those injured and those who took part in the emergency operation after the Omagh bomb blast, the Sperrin Lakeland Trust's medical director, Dr. Clive Russell, told members of the Western Health and Social Services Council.
He said the reactions and trauma for many staff and members of the public were only just starting, and there would be a need for long-term counselling.
Dr. Russell outlined the work of the County Hospital and the other units in Northern Ireland which had dealt with the 382 casualties of the explosion.
A total of 128 were admitted to hospital. By any scale that would be classed as a major disaster anywhere in Europe, Dr. Russell said.
Dr. Russell said that, like any Saturday, the County was quiet on the day of the explosion with only a handful of junior medical staff on duty, and the usual complement of nurses.
He paid tribute to Sister Bridie McMenamin who quickly activated the major disaster plan.
And he also paid tribute to the many medical professionals and members of the emergency services for the roles they played.
At times there were staff from other hospitals and holidaymaking doctors helping out, including a coastguard who made his way from Tobermore to help in the helicopter transfers, he said.
Within 35 minutes six wards were dealing with injured people. During the early evening three surgical theatres were in operation, he said.
Dr. Russell said that as well as those at the County, staff at Altnagelvin, Erne Hospital, South Tyrone, the Royal Victoria and Ulster Hospital played a magnificent role in treating the badly injured.
It had been a team effort, Dr. Russell said, and he told the health council of a comment made by the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. John Prescott, when he visited the hospital: "He said to me 'when we need you, the health service never lets us down', and he was right".
Dark cloud
Health Council chairman, Mr. Frank Hughes, said it "met under the long shadow of a dark cloud."
He reiterated the statement he issued at the time commending health staff for the work they did in caring for those caught up in the blast.
He extended sympathy, in particular to Mrs. Doreen McFarland, a former temporary secretary, at the health council, whose daughter, Samantha died, and to Health Council member, Mrs. Grace White, whose daughter-in-law, Norma, was badly injured.
Mrs. White said her daughter-in-law owed her survival to staff at the County.
"If she had not received initial treatment in the County we would not have her here at all," she said.
Mr. Liam McQuaid, who is also a member of Omagh District Council, said he had heard figures of 247 quoted as the number of injured, but had not realized the actual total was 382.
Said Mr. McQuaid: "If we had not had Tyrone County Hospital, I do not know what would have happened.
"We cannot over-emphasise the compliments we pay to the staff at the County, and to those at Erne Hospital and Altnagelvin Hospital for care and attention that was out of this world.
"Ambulance personnel and police worked tremendously hard, and many people are still numbed by what they experienced."
Mr. McQuaid said a lot of work still had to be done for those recovering in hospital and at home.
He said: "It does not end here, it will live on for generations."
It was not just the County, though, that did so much good work, Dr. Russell said.
He said Altnagelvin bore an enormous burden, with many of the most seriously ill being taken there. Surgeons there worked almost continuously with the victims for two days after the blast.
And Dr. Russell said that plastic surgeons at the Ulster Hospital told him there was no waiting list work done there for four weeks because Omagh victims were being cared for.
Echoing Mr. McQuaid's view that there was still much work to be done, Mr. Russell said: "My psychologists tell me the biggest burden is yet to come."
Trauma
He said the reactions and trauma for many staff and members of the public were only just starting.
Mr. Patrick Bogan said Omagh's darkest day was Tyrone County Hospital's brightest hour.
He said Dr. Russell was being humble in downplaying the County's role.
Mr. Mark Durkan said all recognised the role played by the various hospitals and the people who turned in to help.
"One thing which has come through to me from surgeons at the Royal Victoria Hospital and Altnagelvin Hospital was their recognition of the quality of initial care people received at the County.
"They said to me they were surprised that every patient who came to them was exactly right for the treatment they needed. By the scale of what happened, somebody should have been in the wrong place," he said.
Mr Shaun Gallagher said it was in the years to come that people would see the impact of the Omagh bomb.
Mr Fergus McQuillan said no one ever dreamed there would be a tragedy on this scale in Omagh, but the hospital was prepared.
Mr. James O'Kane said the Health Council had to applaud in the highest manner the work done by the County staff. He said he did not think most people were really aware of the work done there.
One of those who turned up to help at the county was Dr. Maureen Halliday, who had (formerly) worked there. She attended the meeting as a member of the public, and gave some of her reactions.
She spoke of being in the casualty unit when senior surgeon, Mr. Dominic Pinto, came in, and the reaction of horror on his face when he realized he could not see the floor for injured people.
One of the most difficult things for medical staff had been dealing with people they knew, she said.
The dignity of people waiting for treatment was immense, Dr. Halliday said. All waited their turn, and at times would say "look after someone else first, they are in more need".
Now that the initial stage of treatment was coming to an end, Dr. Halliday said she hoped all in the community would have the strength to help the injured.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1221
Published Date: 24-Sep-98
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