250 HEALTH STAFF AFFECTED BY TRAUMA OF OMAGH BOMBING
250 health staff affected by trauma of Omagh bombing
A TOTAL of 250 medical and nursing staff were identified as suffering from symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in the months following the Omagh bomb, the chief executive of the Sperrin Lakeland Health Trust, Mr. Hugh Mills, has revealed.
Mr. Mills was speaking at the Trust's third annual public meeting on Thursday night last.
He told those present that the main aspect of the Trust's work in the past year had been its service response to those injured in the bomb, and the support provided to the bereaved families and those traumatised.
"This has been a unique and unwelcome experience for our staff, as well as the local community. The effects of this atrocity are still evident," he said.
"The Community Trauma and Recovery Team, which the Trust established within a few weeks of the event, has undertaken a tremendous workload in supporting over 500 people, a third of whom are under 18 years of age, with almost three times as many women as men seeking help."
He said both community staff and those in the hospital services had continued to serve the needs of the traumatised and provide treatment to the injured.
"We expect this work will continue for some time to come. Meeting the needs of our community is important to us, but the work has only been at a considerable cost not just in financial terms, but also in terms of the health and well-being of our staff," he said.
"The study on staff health needs, which took place approximately four months after the bomb, identified 250 staff who could be defined as suffering some of the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder."
Mr. Mills went on: "Given the number of staff who live as part of the community, as well as provide services to the community, we recognise that their health requirements have been affected by the trauma of the Omagh bomb.
"Through our occupational health services, led by Dr. Clive Surges, and staff counselling services, we have provided for staff significant support through this difficult time.
"However, most important has been the level of care and support staff have provided for each other, as they and their families have lived and worked through this experience."
Mr. Mills also thanked everyone who supported and encouraged the Trust in its work, including Secretary of State, Dr. Mo Mowlam, for releasing the resources required.
A TOTAL of 250 medical and nursing staff were identified as suffering from symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in the months following the Omagh bomb, the chief executive of the Sperrin Lakeland Health Trust, Mr. Hugh Mills, has revealed.
Mr. Mills was speaking at the Trust's third annual public meeting on Thursday night last.
He told those present that the main aspect of the Trust's work in the past year had been its service response to those injured in the bomb, and the support provided to the bereaved families and those traumatised.
"This has been a unique and unwelcome experience for our staff, as well as the local community. The effects of this atrocity are still evident," he said.
"The Community Trauma and Recovery Team, which the Trust established within a few weeks of the event, has undertaken a tremendous workload in supporting over 500 people, a third of whom are under 18 years of age, with almost three times as many women as men seeking help."
He said both community staff and those in the hospital services had continued to serve the needs of the traumatised and provide treatment to the injured.
"We expect this work will continue for some time to come. Meeting the needs of our community is important to us, but the work has only been at a considerable cost not just in financial terms, but also in terms of the health and well-being of our staff," he said.
"The study on staff health needs, which took place approximately four months after the bomb, identified 250 staff who could be defined as suffering some of the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder."
Mr. Mills went on: "Given the number of staff who live as part of the community, as well as provide services to the community, we recognise that their health requirements have been affected by the trauma of the Omagh bomb.
"Through our occupational health services, led by Dr. Clive Surges, and staff counselling services, we have provided for staff significant support through this difficult time.
"However, most important has been the level of care and support staff have provided for each other, as they and their families have lived and worked through this experience."
Mr. Mills also thanked everyone who supported and encouraged the Trust in its work, including Secretary of State, Dr. Mo Mowlam, for releasing the resources required.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1403
Published Date: 30-Sep-99
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