TRUST CONSULTS ON THE FUTURE OF THE TRAUMA TEAM
Trust consults on future of trauma team
THE Trauma Centre in Omagh is expected to close at the end of this month a year later than originally intended.
Sperrin Lakeland Trust has embarked on a round of consultation with local bodies on the winding up and unless it receives serious objections, the service and the Centre will be closed down.
Since opening its doors to treat those traumatised by the Omagh bomb, the Bridge Centre has dealt with 600 people of all ages. However, in recent months the numbers seeking support of the team has reduced and the Trust believes that future care could be provided by the mainstream services.
Commenting on the consultations, Hugh Mills, Chief Executive of the Trust said, The Trust has written to various organisations and interests which the Trust believes may have a view on the work of the Trauma Team and we are keen to receive any comments which could assist the Trust in planning the transition of services provided by the Team.
"In setting up the Team, the Trust took the view from the outset that a time would come when the Team would accomplish the task for which it was established. It was envisaged that the continuing work to support those affected by the Omagh bombing could then be taken forward by the Trust's mainstream services at a point when the demands from the public reached a level that could be managed by those services.
"Since shortly after the Inquests last September the numbers of people seeking help have continued to drop and we believe the point has now been reached where our mainstream services, can provide support to those who will seek help in the future."
Continuing, Mr Mills, said, "The Team had been established initially to lead the Trust's response to the bombing and this was considered necessary due to the amount of demand that was expected to arise. The Trust had also established the Team as a symbolic act, indicating its desire to support the community and in a tangible way to acknowledge the implications of the tragedy for the community.
It had originally been envisaged the Team should be in place up until April 2000. However, given the demands from the community and the plans to have the Inquests in September 2000, it was decided the Team should remain in place until at least December 2000.
Speaking about the proposals for the team, Mr Mills said, "On the basis of the pattern of demand on the team over the past 6 months, we are proposing that the Team should complete its operation by the end of April. At that point, those currently seeing Team staff for therapy would continue to do so, until the therapy is completed."
THE Trauma Centre in Omagh is expected to close at the end of this month a year later than originally intended.
Sperrin Lakeland Trust has embarked on a round of consultation with local bodies on the winding up and unless it receives serious objections, the service and the Centre will be closed down.
Since opening its doors to treat those traumatised by the Omagh bomb, the Bridge Centre has dealt with 600 people of all ages. However, in recent months the numbers seeking support of the team has reduced and the Trust believes that future care could be provided by the mainstream services.
Commenting on the consultations, Hugh Mills, Chief Executive of the Trust said, The Trust has written to various organisations and interests which the Trust believes may have a view on the work of the Trauma Team and we are keen to receive any comments which could assist the Trust in planning the transition of services provided by the Team.
"In setting up the Team, the Trust took the view from the outset that a time would come when the Team would accomplish the task for which it was established. It was envisaged that the continuing work to support those affected by the Omagh bombing could then be taken forward by the Trust's mainstream services at a point when the demands from the public reached a level that could be managed by those services.
"Since shortly after the Inquests last September the numbers of people seeking help have continued to drop and we believe the point has now been reached where our mainstream services, can provide support to those who will seek help in the future."
Continuing, Mr Mills, said, "The Team had been established initially to lead the Trust's response to the bombing and this was considered necessary due to the amount of demand that was expected to arise. The Trust had also established the Team as a symbolic act, indicating its desire to support the community and in a tangible way to acknowledge the implications of the tragedy for the community.
It had originally been envisaged the Team should be in place up until April 2000. However, given the demands from the community and the plans to have the Inquests in September 2000, it was decided the Team should remain in place until at least December 2000.
Speaking about the proposals for the team, Mr Mills said, "On the basis of the pattern of demand on the team over the past 6 months, we are proposing that the Team should complete its operation by the end of April. At that point, those currently seeing Team staff for therapy would continue to do so, until the therapy is completed."
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0753
Published Date: 05-Apr-01
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