TRAUMA TEAM GETTING 50 PHONE CALLS A DAY
Trauma team getting 50 phone calls a day
ONLY days after the bomb of August 15, the Community Trauma and Recovery Team was established by the Sperrin Lakeland Trust to spearhead its response to the tragedy.
The team has since made every effort to provide support for those who have been bereaved, injured and distressed.
Team co-ordinator, Mr Michael Duffy, said they were receiving up to 50 telephone calls every day, as well as making house visits to those most in need.
"Up until the end of September we have undertaken 105 home visits and 193 counselling and therapy sessions," said Mr. Duffy.
He said that the team wanted to facilitate the processes of coping and recovery, and would not attempt to undermine the significant strengths which already exist in the Omagh community.
The team has liaised with voluntary groups and discussed the provision of awareness training for staff, community workers and the clergy.
Eight permanent members of staff make up the Community, Trauma and Recovery Team, supported by other professionals on a sessional basis.
Those involved are drawn from various departments, including social work, community psychiatric nursing occupational therapy, psychiatry, psychology, cognitive behaviour, therapy, art therapy, bereavement counselling, suicide awareness nursing and administrative support.
The team have been receiving a significant number of offers of help, including transport to take relatives to hospitals in Belfast and Londonderry, accommodation or families and holidays for the injured or relatives of the bereaved.
The Trust has posted information bulletins to all those who have been affected by the bombing, advising them on the services provided by the Community Trauma Team.
The bulletins have also provided advice on the role and method of contact with the Compensation Agency and information on the Omagh Fund.
Mr David Bolton, director of community care, said there were great pressures on his staff, who were endeavouring to maintain normal services to the wider community.
Our staff have found time and time again that many of those who were not directly involved needed time to talk about the bombing and its consequences," he said.
For many of our staff, this has been great additional work and has meant extra hours which they have given willingly in view of the great need in the Omagh community.
"We will be recruiting additional staff to help in specific areas, such as in the rehabilitation of disabled people," he added.
The telephone number, for anyone wishing to contact the team, is 01662 252599.
ONLY days after the bomb of August 15, the Community Trauma and Recovery Team was established by the Sperrin Lakeland Trust to spearhead its response to the tragedy.
The team has since made every effort to provide support for those who have been bereaved, injured and distressed.
Team co-ordinator, Mr Michael Duffy, said they were receiving up to 50 telephone calls every day, as well as making house visits to those most in need.
"Up until the end of September we have undertaken 105 home visits and 193 counselling and therapy sessions," said Mr. Duffy.
He said that the team wanted to facilitate the processes of coping and recovery, and would not attempt to undermine the significant strengths which already exist in the Omagh community.
The team has liaised with voluntary groups and discussed the provision of awareness training for staff, community workers and the clergy.
Eight permanent members of staff make up the Community, Trauma and Recovery Team, supported by other professionals on a sessional basis.
Those involved are drawn from various departments, including social work, community psychiatric nursing occupational therapy, psychiatry, psychology, cognitive behaviour, therapy, art therapy, bereavement counselling, suicide awareness nursing and administrative support.
The team have been receiving a significant number of offers of help, including transport to take relatives to hospitals in Belfast and Londonderry, accommodation or families and holidays for the injured or relatives of the bereaved.
The Trust has posted information bulletins to all those who have been affected by the bombing, advising them on the services provided by the Community Trauma Team.
The bulletins have also provided advice on the role and method of contact with the Compensation Agency and information on the Omagh Fund.
Mr David Bolton, director of community care, said there were great pressures on his staff, who were endeavouring to maintain normal services to the wider community.
Our staff have found time and time again that many of those who were not directly involved needed time to talk about the bombing and its consequences," he said.
For many of our staff, this has been great additional work and has meant extra hours which they have given willingly in view of the great need in the Omagh community.
"We will be recruiting additional staff to help in specific areas, such as in the rehabilitation of disabled people," he added.
The telephone number, for anyone wishing to contact the team, is 01662 252599.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1263
Published Date: 08-Oct-98
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