OVER 600 TREATED BY OMAGH TRAUMA TEAM BOARD REVEALS
Over 600 treated by Omagh trauma team Board reveals
MORE than 600 people have consulted with staff at the Omagh Community Trauma and Recovery Team, since its doors opened within days of the horrific bombing atrocity that ripped through the Tyrone community and sent shock waves around the World.
The specialist team, comprised of occupational therapists, nurses, social workers, doctors and other therapists, has provided a range of therapeutic and supportive services to local people, parents and children who were affected by the bombing over the past two years.
Although the centre is set to close at the end of the year, it is anticipated that local people will continue to be able to access services from other departments within the Sperrin Lakeland Health and Social Care Trust.
"We intend that the knowledge and expertise gained by staff in helping people over the past two years will be incorporated into our mainstream services, and will bring benefit to others who have suffered traumatic experiences," explained Mr Hugh Mills, chief executive of the Sperrin Lakeland Trust.
"We will continue to develop our capacity to meet the needs of people who have been traumatised and bereaved by tragic events," he added.
Mr Mills explained that the Trust had requested funding from the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, to run
the team until the end of December.
He said that the Trust had sought additional funding from the Secretary of state to enable it to meet the extraordinary demands on a number if its services as a result of the bombing.
Funding had already been received for the trauma team up until the end of March of this year but the Trust officials reviewed the requirements for the team and sought additional funding to enable it to operate until the end of the year, he explained.
"On looking at the needs arising from the bombing, earlier this year, we felt it would be important to have the team in place for the second anniversary. We also expected the Inquest to take place this year, and felt that the team should be in place to support the community over the time the Inquest is happening," said Mr Mills.
He said that the Trust saw the establishment of the trauma team as an important strategic and symbolic response to the bombing.
"It was an essential development to enable the trust to bring together the range of responses, skills and services required to meet the needs arising from the bombing," he added.
Mr Mills pointed out that the trauma team had played a key role in spearheading the Trust's responses, in providing a range of personal and family services, and in working along side the other agencies and organisations to assist the people of Omagh, Buncrana and Madrid.
Grateful
"I am deeply grateful to the Team and its co-ordinator Michael Duffy for the work they have carried out on behalf of this community," added Mr Mills.
He said that the establishment of the Team was always seen as a short to medium term response to the bombing.
"At this stage it seems the Team will complete its work by the end of December, although we will keep this situation under review," he commented.
As well as providing therapeutic services, the trauma team has also been involved in a wide range of other activities including the coordination of offers of help made in response to the bombing, as well as the studies carried out on behalf of the Trust to determine the impact of the bombing and the services needed to meet those needs, and working along side other agencies and interests, in Omagh, Buncrana and elsewhere.
The work of the team has been followed with interest by many people who have visited Omagh, including professionals working in the field of trauma policy makers, politicians, and service providers.
Meanwhile, spokesperson for Omagh Victims Self Help and Support Group, Mr Michael Gallagher said that the expertise and experience gained by the Trauma Team should not be wasted.
He said that many people who use the service had been aware for a considerable amount of time that it would end this year.
"It was the first time that a team like this was set up, and it was agreed that it would be kept as a unit until the second anniversary.
"History has taught us that trauma can lie dormant or revisit us at any time. I am sure there are other people out there who would benefit from the team such as this one, which was set up in Omagh. Perhaps people who have suffered in road traffic accidents or who have been traumatised by death of another would benefit. These services should be made available to people who require them," said Mr Gallagher.
'There is a Trauma Centre available in Belfast, but that is 150 miles return journey. A day-long trip would have to be made for one consultation.. We should have services which are reasonably accessible.
The Omagh Victims Support and Self Help Group offers a befriending contact point for people who have suffered as a result of the Omagh bomb. However, Mr GaHagher said that the group could never be a substitute for the highly skilled members of the trauma team.
"It is a very specialised job and it will leave a big gap in the community once it goes," he added.
MORE than 600 people have consulted with staff at the Omagh Community Trauma and Recovery Team, since its doors opened within days of the horrific bombing atrocity that ripped through the Tyrone community and sent shock waves around the World.
The specialist team, comprised of occupational therapists, nurses, social workers, doctors and other therapists, has provided a range of therapeutic and supportive services to local people, parents and children who were affected by the bombing over the past two years.
Although the centre is set to close at the end of the year, it is anticipated that local people will continue to be able to access services from other departments within the Sperrin Lakeland Health and Social Care Trust.
"We intend that the knowledge and expertise gained by staff in helping people over the past two years will be incorporated into our mainstream services, and will bring benefit to others who have suffered traumatic experiences," explained Mr Hugh Mills, chief executive of the Sperrin Lakeland Trust.
"We will continue to develop our capacity to meet the needs of people who have been traumatised and bereaved by tragic events," he added.
Mr Mills explained that the Trust had requested funding from the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, to run
the team until the end of December.
He said that the Trust had sought additional funding from the Secretary of state to enable it to meet the extraordinary demands on a number if its services as a result of the bombing.
Funding had already been received for the trauma team up until the end of March of this year but the Trust officials reviewed the requirements for the team and sought additional funding to enable it to operate until the end of the year, he explained.
"On looking at the needs arising from the bombing, earlier this year, we felt it would be important to have the team in place for the second anniversary. We also expected the Inquest to take place this year, and felt that the team should be in place to support the community over the time the Inquest is happening," said Mr Mills.
He said that the Trust saw the establishment of the trauma team as an important strategic and symbolic response to the bombing.
"It was an essential development to enable the trust to bring together the range of responses, skills and services required to meet the needs arising from the bombing," he added.
Mr Mills pointed out that the trauma team had played a key role in spearheading the Trust's responses, in providing a range of personal and family services, and in working along side the other agencies and organisations to assist the people of Omagh, Buncrana and Madrid.
Grateful
"I am deeply grateful to the Team and its co-ordinator Michael Duffy for the work they have carried out on behalf of this community," added Mr Mills.
He said that the establishment of the Team was always seen as a short to medium term response to the bombing.
"At this stage it seems the Team will complete its work by the end of December, although we will keep this situation under review," he commented.
As well as providing therapeutic services, the trauma team has also been involved in a wide range of other activities including the coordination of offers of help made in response to the bombing, as well as the studies carried out on behalf of the Trust to determine the impact of the bombing and the services needed to meet those needs, and working along side other agencies and interests, in Omagh, Buncrana and elsewhere.
The work of the team has been followed with interest by many people who have visited Omagh, including professionals working in the field of trauma policy makers, politicians, and service providers.
Meanwhile, spokesperson for Omagh Victims Self Help and Support Group, Mr Michael Gallagher said that the expertise and experience gained by the Trauma Team should not be wasted.
He said that many people who use the service had been aware for a considerable amount of time that it would end this year.
"It was the first time that a team like this was set up, and it was agreed that it would be kept as a unit until the second anniversary.
"History has taught us that trauma can lie dormant or revisit us at any time. I am sure there are other people out there who would benefit from the team such as this one, which was set up in Omagh. Perhaps people who have suffered in road traffic accidents or who have been traumatised by death of another would benefit. These services should be made available to people who require them," said Mr Gallagher.
'There is a Trauma Centre available in Belfast, but that is 150 miles return journey. A day-long trip would have to be made for one consultation.. We should have services which are reasonably accessible.
The Omagh Victims Support and Self Help Group offers a befriending contact point for people who have suffered as a result of the Omagh bomb. However, Mr GaHagher said that the group could never be a substitute for the highly skilled members of the trauma team.
"It is a very specialised job and it will leave a big gap in the community once it goes," he added.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1515
Published Date: 24-Aug-00
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