CONSTRUCTIVE MEETING WITH MINISTER
Constructive meeting with Minister
A SMALL delegation from the self-help group for the victims of the Omagh bomb, met with health Minister, John McFall, on his visit to Omagh on Monday at Tyrone County Hospital.
Speaking after the private meeting with the Minister, Lawrence Rush, whose wife, Libby, was killed in the Omagh bomb blast, said the group was very happy with the meeting.
Mr Rush said that the minister had been very attentive and he described him as 'gentlemanly' but nevertheless added that he was 'a tough operator'.
Amongst other representations made to the Minister, Mr Rush drew attention to the fact that one of the victims badly injured in the bomb had to buy sterile bandages from Boots as neither the Tyrone County Hospital nor the Health Centre stocked them.
He also added that a number of the victims who had suffered serious injuries and loss as a result of the bomb, were made 'derisory offers' of financial help from the Omagh Fund. Moreover, Mr Rush brought to the Minister's attention what he perceived to be a number of irregularities in the way in which the health service is administered locally.
The Minister indicated that decisions as to the future of Tyrone County Hospital would be taken by the assembly. However, Mr Rush made it clear that that was unsatisfactory as the Assembly was still hugely divided on a number of matters not related to the health issue.
Also in attendance were group members Stanley McCombe whose wife, Anne, died in the blast, and Michael Gallagher whose son Aidan also perished. Both men lobbied the minister on the future of health care provision in Omagh.
Separately, Mr Rush said that he had been disappointed at the Assembly's response to the campaign to save the Tyrone County Hospital.
Almost a quarter of a million cards have been sent out to statesmen and politicians in every country, and hundreds of people from various countries have been in contact with Mr Rush.
On behalf of the group Mr Rush has thanked all of those who participated in the campaign and wished them a happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
A SMALL delegation from the self-help group for the victims of the Omagh bomb, met with health Minister, John McFall, on his visit to Omagh on Monday at Tyrone County Hospital.
Speaking after the private meeting with the Minister, Lawrence Rush, whose wife, Libby, was killed in the Omagh bomb blast, said the group was very happy with the meeting.
Mr Rush said that the minister had been very attentive and he described him as 'gentlemanly' but nevertheless added that he was 'a tough operator'.
Amongst other representations made to the Minister, Mr Rush drew attention to the fact that one of the victims badly injured in the bomb had to buy sterile bandages from Boots as neither the Tyrone County Hospital nor the Health Centre stocked them.
He also added that a number of the victims who had suffered serious injuries and loss as a result of the bomb, were made 'derisory offers' of financial help from the Omagh Fund. Moreover, Mr Rush brought to the Minister's attention what he perceived to be a number of irregularities in the way in which the health service is administered locally.
The Minister indicated that decisions as to the future of Tyrone County Hospital would be taken by the assembly. However, Mr Rush made it clear that that was unsatisfactory as the Assembly was still hugely divided on a number of matters not related to the health issue.
Also in attendance were group members Stanley McCombe whose wife, Anne, died in the blast, and Michael Gallagher whose son Aidan also perished. Both men lobbied the minister on the future of health care provision in Omagh.
Separately, Mr Rush said that he had been disappointed at the Assembly's response to the campaign to save the Tyrone County Hospital.
Almost a quarter of a million cards have been sent out to statesmen and politicians in every country, and hundreds of people from various countries have been in contact with Mr Rush.
On behalf of the group Mr Rush has thanked all of those who participated in the campaign and wished them a happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0646
Published Date: 24-Dec-98
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