BLAIR WRITES TO BEREAVED OMAGH MAN
Blair writes to bereaved Omagh Man
THE PRIME MINISTER has written a letter to Omagh man Lawrence Rush whose wife was killed in the Omagh bomb. Since his wife's death, Mr Rush has been a committed campaigner for the restoration and protection of services at the Tyrone County Hospital. The contents of Mr Blair's letter are as follows;
Dear Mr Rush,
We met recently in Omagh, you raised with me your concerns about the future role of the Tyrone County Hospital. Firstly, I would like to say how deeply saddened I am at the suffering experienced by you and all of your family and friends following the tragic loss of your wife, Libby.
As regards the future of the hospital, I am aware that the Western Health and Social Services Board has engaged in a strategic review of its acute hospital services and that, although still at its preliminary stages, this has given rise to speculation that there may be changes in the range of services currently provided by Tyrone County Hospital. In the light of the devastating events in Omagh on 15 August, I can understand the concern at the prospect of any change in the services delivered at the Tyrone County Hospital. As you may know, in the wake of the bomb, the Board has suspended work on the review. This is primarily to allow health and social care staff to focus on supporting the victims and their families. Nevertheless, it will also allow time for the consequences of the bomb and its aftermath to be absorbed.
I know that the Board is committed to ensuring that people throughout its area continue to receive a sustainable and high quality of acute care service. I am confident that when work on the review resumes, the lessons learned from the terrible events in Omagh will be taken into consideration before the Board comes to any conclusions about the way ahead.
The Prime Minister's letter included a handwritten addendum which read, 'I will write to you again once all the conclusions are reached.'
Mr Rush has expressed optimism at the Prime Minister's response and has stressed that he will be continuing with his campaign to save the Tyrone County Hospital.
THE PRIME MINISTER has written a letter to Omagh man Lawrence Rush whose wife was killed in the Omagh bomb. Since his wife's death, Mr Rush has been a committed campaigner for the restoration and protection of services at the Tyrone County Hospital. The contents of Mr Blair's letter are as follows;
Dear Mr Rush,
We met recently in Omagh, you raised with me your concerns about the future role of the Tyrone County Hospital. Firstly, I would like to say how deeply saddened I am at the suffering experienced by you and all of your family and friends following the tragic loss of your wife, Libby.
As regards the future of the hospital, I am aware that the Western Health and Social Services Board has engaged in a strategic review of its acute hospital services and that, although still at its preliminary stages, this has given rise to speculation that there may be changes in the range of services currently provided by Tyrone County Hospital. In the light of the devastating events in Omagh on 15 August, I can understand the concern at the prospect of any change in the services delivered at the Tyrone County Hospital. As you may know, in the wake of the bomb, the Board has suspended work on the review. This is primarily to allow health and social care staff to focus on supporting the victims and their families. Nevertheless, it will also allow time for the consequences of the bomb and its aftermath to be absorbed.
I know that the Board is committed to ensuring that people throughout its area continue to receive a sustainable and high quality of acute care service. I am confident that when work on the review resumes, the lessons learned from the terrible events in Omagh will be taken into consideration before the Board comes to any conclusions about the way ahead.
The Prime Minister's letter included a handwritten addendum which read, 'I will write to you again once all the conclusions are reached.'
Mr Rush has expressed optimism at the Prime Minister's response and has stressed that he will be continuing with his campaign to save the Tyrone County Hospital.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1194
Published Date: 15-Oct-98
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