NEW PHYSIOTHERAPY DEPARTMENT SUITED FOR UPSURGE IN USE
New Physiotherapy Department suited for upsurge in use
THE Physiotherapy Outpatients Department at the Tyrone County Hospital, which has become a focal point for so many people injured in the Omagh bomb, has moved to a new home.
Riverside House near the hospital was officially opened on Friday last by the Chairman of Sperrin Lakeland Trust, Richard Scott.
Joining Trust staff, past and present, were Scan Clarke and John McKinney, Chairman and Chief Executive of Omagh District Council, Frank Hughes, Chairman of the Western Health and Social Services Council, Roger Parke, Consultant in rehabilitation Medicine at Musgrave Park Hospital, Dr. Colin Hamilton, Acting Director of Public Health at the Western Health and Social Services Board, Sean O'Dwyer, Chairman of the Omagh Fund, and John McConnell, who was given responsibility for coordinating the Government's response to the Omagh bomb.
Also in attendance were a number of people who sustained injuries in the Omagh bomb, and attend the Physiotherapy Outpatients Department for the continued treatment of their injuries.
The official opening also provided the Trust with an opportunity to publicly thank a number of individuals and community organisations who have raised money for the hospital, and in particular for the physiotherapy and occupational therapy departments.
In opening the new department, Mr. Scott stated: "Prior to the tragic events of 15 August 1998, it had long been recognised that the existing accommodation for physiotherapy and occupational therapy services within the Tyrone County Hospital was cramped and inadequate. Following the Omagh bomb, and the resulting increased workload for both departments, the decision was taken to refurbish a section of Riverside House for the Physiotherapy Outpatients Department. "
He continued: "It is acknowledged that the long-term vision for this service is to establish a Rehabilitation Centre which would encompass other therapies-occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech therapy to name but three but with the assistance we have received from the Government and the general public, we hope that the opening of the Physiotherapy Outpatients Department is a step in the right direction."
Tribute was paid to the Trust staff, many of whom worked selflessly and tirelessly since the Omagh bomb. In particular, the Chairman paid tribute to the staff of the Physiotherapy Outpatient Department, and wished them every success in their new department.
The new accommodation in Riverside House provides space and pleasant surroundings for clients and staff, as well as privacy for those clients who require treatment for sensitive conditions.
The Sperrin Lakeland Trust has been overwhelmed by the generosity of the general public, and donations received have been used to purchase some much needed equipment, not only for the new department, but also for the Hospital's Intensive Care Unit and Occupational Therapy Department.
Whilst the outpatient physiotherapy service has now been relocated, the inpatient service remains within the Tyrone County Hospital, adjacent to Ward 12. The relocation of the outpatient physiotherapy service has vacated some much needed space, and the Occupational Therapy Department will shortly receive its long awaited face-lift and refurbishment.
In December 1998, the Minister for Health, Mr. John McFall, announced additional funding of �2.0 million, to address the short to medium term needs of health and social services, following the Omagh bombing. The Trust has been able to utilise approximately �100,000 of this funding to carry out the refurbishment of the physiotherapy and occupational therapy departments.
THE Physiotherapy Outpatients Department at the Tyrone County Hospital, which has become a focal point for so many people injured in the Omagh bomb, has moved to a new home.
Riverside House near the hospital was officially opened on Friday last by the Chairman of Sperrin Lakeland Trust, Richard Scott.
Joining Trust staff, past and present, were Scan Clarke and John McKinney, Chairman and Chief Executive of Omagh District Council, Frank Hughes, Chairman of the Western Health and Social Services Council, Roger Parke, Consultant in rehabilitation Medicine at Musgrave Park Hospital, Dr. Colin Hamilton, Acting Director of Public Health at the Western Health and Social Services Board, Sean O'Dwyer, Chairman of the Omagh Fund, and John McConnell, who was given responsibility for coordinating the Government's response to the Omagh bomb.
Also in attendance were a number of people who sustained injuries in the Omagh bomb, and attend the Physiotherapy Outpatients Department for the continued treatment of their injuries.
The official opening also provided the Trust with an opportunity to publicly thank a number of individuals and community organisations who have raised money for the hospital, and in particular for the physiotherapy and occupational therapy departments.
In opening the new department, Mr. Scott stated: "Prior to the tragic events of 15 August 1998, it had long been recognised that the existing accommodation for physiotherapy and occupational therapy services within the Tyrone County Hospital was cramped and inadequate. Following the Omagh bomb, and the resulting increased workload for both departments, the decision was taken to refurbish a section of Riverside House for the Physiotherapy Outpatients Department. "
He continued: "It is acknowledged that the long-term vision for this service is to establish a Rehabilitation Centre which would encompass other therapies-occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech therapy to name but three but with the assistance we have received from the Government and the general public, we hope that the opening of the Physiotherapy Outpatients Department is a step in the right direction."
Tribute was paid to the Trust staff, many of whom worked selflessly and tirelessly since the Omagh bomb. In particular, the Chairman paid tribute to the staff of the Physiotherapy Outpatient Department, and wished them every success in their new department.
The new accommodation in Riverside House provides space and pleasant surroundings for clients and staff, as well as privacy for those clients who require treatment for sensitive conditions.
The Sperrin Lakeland Trust has been overwhelmed by the generosity of the general public, and donations received have been used to purchase some much needed equipment, not only for the new department, but also for the Hospital's Intensive Care Unit and Occupational Therapy Department.
Whilst the outpatient physiotherapy service has now been relocated, the inpatient service remains within the Tyrone County Hospital, adjacent to Ward 12. The relocation of the outpatient physiotherapy service has vacated some much needed space, and the Occupational Therapy Department will shortly receive its long awaited face-lift and refurbishment.
In December 1998, the Minister for Health, Mr. John McFall, announced additional funding of �2.0 million, to address the short to medium term needs of health and social services, following the Omagh bombing. The Trust has been able to utilise approximately �100,000 of this funding to carry out the refurbishment of the physiotherapy and occupational therapy departments.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1226
Published Date: 04-Mar-99
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