TYRONE COUNTY HOSPITAL MUST STAY
TYRONE COUNTY HOSPITAL MUST STAY
Call for special treatment for a Special hospital
CALLS have been made in the new Northern Assembly for the retention of the Tyrone County in Omagh as an acute hospital.
The political adversaries of West Tyrone were united on Tuesday in demanding that special attention be paid to the County after the tremendous efforts of its staff in the aftermath of the Omagh atrocity.
The call for the hospital's retention as an acute service provider was made during the second day of the Assembly as its members engaged in a three hour discussion on the Omagh bombing.
There was also widespread praise and tribute paid to all of the emergency services who reacted so rapidly in the immediate aftermath of the bomb, which killed 29 people.
Sinn Fein assemblyman Barry McElduff called for the hospital to be retained as a first class acute services hospital, and expanded and upgraded.
Mr McElduff said he was reluctant to make a political point but said that he had no doubt that the death toll would have been significantly higher but for the existence of the hospital.
"That is a compelling argument to ensure it is retained. It would be terrible if it were not retained, that whole swathe of rural territory West of the Bann would be disadvantaged."
"Having been born in the Tyrone County Hospital I shudder to think of the consequences had plans gone ahead to remove the acute services at the Hospital before August 15th."
The assembly man commended all those who helped but said the professionalism of the Tyrone County Hospital staff stood out for him.
The SDLP's Joe Byrne said the people of Omagh and West Tyrone quite simply want an assurance that the hospital will be sustained with proper resourcing to provide a viable level of acute and medical services into the future.
Mr Byrne said it had been obvious that the hospital was being run down gradually and steadily by people who "simply do not want to listen to the concerns of people in the west."
I want government now to be serious about helping the people of Omagh after the tragedy.
"It is remarkable how the medical and nursing staff at our hospital in Omagh responded to such a large scale emergency crisis.
"The Tyrone County is only a smaller scale hospital which has sadly been steadily run down over recent years.
"I can tell you all here in this Assembly today that the families of the injured and the injured themselves deeply appreciate the care and attention they got at our hospital."
He said the entire medical team and staff at the hospital deserved the highest praise and appreciation for their dedicated and highly professional efforts in the midst of such terrible injuries and trauma.
Pat Doherty of Sinn Fein told members "The courage of the emergency services, the doctors, and the nurses was also exemplary.
"In the weeks and months ahead when accountants figures and management reports about hospitals appear, let them fade into insignificance against that courage."
Oliver Gibson of the DUP said the significance of Omagh was that no one died because of the inability to get to the emergency service.
"That was what was special. The training, the various efforts that were made to deal with catastrophes, and we have had many unfortunately in our area, that was successful"
The assembly man has called for a special citation to be given to every person involved in the aftermath of the tragedy.
"All should be acknowledged and acknowledged in a way that is worthy of note.
Ulster Unionist Derek Hussey said the government must commit all resources necessary to assist Omagh resurrect itself physically and mentally from that dark August afternoon.
"The after effects of this act of depravity will remain with us all for a long time to come and will require long term commitment from medical and trauma care specialists.
He said every assistance was promised by the Secretary of State but added that so far no extra medical staff have been committed to the Omagh area to help ease the tremendous burden still being carried by doctors and nurses.
Mr Hussey said the task undertaken by the Tyrone County Hospital must be highlighted.
"The skill and expertise of their staff in the performance of emergency operations, stabilisation of the injured prior to transfer to acute hospitals undoubtedly saved lives.
"The value of such local hospital services cannot be over stressed And must not be forgotten in any future Health Board plans," he added.
Call for special treatment for a Special hospital
CALLS have been made in the new Northern Assembly for the retention of the Tyrone County in Omagh as an acute hospital.
The political adversaries of West Tyrone were united on Tuesday in demanding that special attention be paid to the County after the tremendous efforts of its staff in the aftermath of the Omagh atrocity.
The call for the hospital's retention as an acute service provider was made during the second day of the Assembly as its members engaged in a three hour discussion on the Omagh bombing.
There was also widespread praise and tribute paid to all of the emergency services who reacted so rapidly in the immediate aftermath of the bomb, which killed 29 people.
Sinn Fein assemblyman Barry McElduff called for the hospital to be retained as a first class acute services hospital, and expanded and upgraded.
Mr McElduff said he was reluctant to make a political point but said that he had no doubt that the death toll would have been significantly higher but for the existence of the hospital.
"That is a compelling argument to ensure it is retained. It would be terrible if it were not retained, that whole swathe of rural territory West of the Bann would be disadvantaged."
"Having been born in the Tyrone County Hospital I shudder to think of the consequences had plans gone ahead to remove the acute services at the Hospital before August 15th."
The assembly man commended all those who helped but said the professionalism of the Tyrone County Hospital staff stood out for him.
The SDLP's Joe Byrne said the people of Omagh and West Tyrone quite simply want an assurance that the hospital will be sustained with proper resourcing to provide a viable level of acute and medical services into the future.
Mr Byrne said it had been obvious that the hospital was being run down gradually and steadily by people who "simply do not want to listen to the concerns of people in the west."
I want government now to be serious about helping the people of Omagh after the tragedy.
"It is remarkable how the medical and nursing staff at our hospital in Omagh responded to such a large scale emergency crisis.
"The Tyrone County is only a smaller scale hospital which has sadly been steadily run down over recent years.
"I can tell you all here in this Assembly today that the families of the injured and the injured themselves deeply appreciate the care and attention they got at our hospital."
He said the entire medical team and staff at the hospital deserved the highest praise and appreciation for their dedicated and highly professional efforts in the midst of such terrible injuries and trauma.
Pat Doherty of Sinn Fein told members "The courage of the emergency services, the doctors, and the nurses was also exemplary.
"In the weeks and months ahead when accountants figures and management reports about hospitals appear, let them fade into insignificance against that courage."
Oliver Gibson of the DUP said the significance of Omagh was that no one died because of the inability to get to the emergency service.
"That was what was special. The training, the various efforts that were made to deal with catastrophes, and we have had many unfortunately in our area, that was successful"
The assembly man has called for a special citation to be given to every person involved in the aftermath of the tragedy.
"All should be acknowledged and acknowledged in a way that is worthy of note.
Ulster Unionist Derek Hussey said the government must commit all resources necessary to assist Omagh resurrect itself physically and mentally from that dark August afternoon.
"The after effects of this act of depravity will remain with us all for a long time to come and will require long term commitment from medical and trauma care specialists.
He said every assistance was promised by the Secretary of State but added that so far no extra medical staff have been committed to the Omagh area to help ease the tremendous burden still being carried by doctors and nurses.
Mr Hussey said the task undertaken by the Tyrone County Hospital must be highlighted.
"The skill and expertise of their staff in the performance of emergency operations, stabilisation of the injured prior to transfer to acute hospitals undoubtedly saved lives.
"The value of such local hospital services cannot be over stressed And must not be forgotten in any future Health Board plans," he added.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1128
Published Date: 17-Sep-98
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