AMPUTEES TO BENEFIT FROM NEW FACILITY IN BELFAST HOSPITAL
Amputees to benefit from new facility in Belfast hospital
By JACQUELINE COURTNEY
Omagh bomb victims attend opening of department
THE quality of life for six Omagh people who lost limbs in the August 1998 bomb, looks set to be dramatically enhanced thanks to a magnificent development just completed at Musgrave Park Hospital.
The project was made possible with the help of generous donations from the Rotary Club of Omagh and the Amputee Association of Northern Ireland.
The newly extended and equipped physiotherapy department within the Belfast Hospital's Limb Fitting Centre was officially opened this week by the Under Permanent Secretary of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Clive Gowdy.
Also present at the opening were two of the six Omagh patients who are amongst the first NI patients who will benefit greatly from the new development.
13-year-old Alastair Hall who is one of the youngest traumatic amputees in the North, demonstrated the new state-of-the art Powerjog Treadmill donated by the local Rotary Club and the new exercise bicycle.
Chairman of Green Park Healthcare Trust, Norman Shaw said he was delighted with the new facility and the support they had received from other organisations in the creation of it.
"With approximately 1,500 amputee patients in Northern Ireland, and 120 of them as a result of the Troubles, it is good to know that their quality of life will be greatly enhanced as a result of this magnificent development." he said.
Speaking to the Herald, yesterday, Pamela Mercer, the Department's Senior Physiotherapist, who also attended the launch, extended her heartfelt thanks to the donators, particularly the Rotary Club in Omagh for making it all possible.
She revealed the hospital had been in close contact with the Omagh amputees since the bomb and she was confident the new look and better
equipped physiotherapy department would be in a better position to provide even further help.
"The Omagh amputees came up to the department on an average of every three months and would be doing so for the rest of their lives for intermittent treatment which is necessary with artificial limbs.
"The treadmill promotes an even walking pattern and gives confidence to people to be able to go out to a leisure centre or gym and use the equipment there," said Pamela.
She added that cycling was also an activity which many amputees can enjoy and participate in and as a basis they need to know how their artificial limb works on pedals.
"The exercise bicycle allows amputees to practise in safety and strengthens muscle groups to aid walking," she added.
By JACQUELINE COURTNEY
Omagh bomb victims attend opening of department
THE quality of life for six Omagh people who lost limbs in the August 1998 bomb, looks set to be dramatically enhanced thanks to a magnificent development just completed at Musgrave Park Hospital.
The project was made possible with the help of generous donations from the Rotary Club of Omagh and the Amputee Association of Northern Ireland.
The newly extended and equipped physiotherapy department within the Belfast Hospital's Limb Fitting Centre was officially opened this week by the Under Permanent Secretary of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Clive Gowdy.
Also present at the opening were two of the six Omagh patients who are amongst the first NI patients who will benefit greatly from the new development.
13-year-old Alastair Hall who is one of the youngest traumatic amputees in the North, demonstrated the new state-of-the art Powerjog Treadmill donated by the local Rotary Club and the new exercise bicycle.
Chairman of Green Park Healthcare Trust, Norman Shaw said he was delighted with the new facility and the support they had received from other organisations in the creation of it.
"With approximately 1,500 amputee patients in Northern Ireland, and 120 of them as a result of the Troubles, it is good to know that their quality of life will be greatly enhanced as a result of this magnificent development." he said.
Speaking to the Herald, yesterday, Pamela Mercer, the Department's Senior Physiotherapist, who also attended the launch, extended her heartfelt thanks to the donators, particularly the Rotary Club in Omagh for making it all possible.
She revealed the hospital had been in close contact with the Omagh amputees since the bomb and she was confident the new look and better
equipped physiotherapy department would be in a better position to provide even further help.
"The Omagh amputees came up to the department on an average of every three months and would be doing so for the rest of their lives for intermittent treatment which is necessary with artificial limbs.
"The treadmill promotes an even walking pattern and gives confidence to people to be able to go out to a leisure centre or gym and use the equipment there," said Pamela.
She added that cycling was also an activity which many amputees can enjoy and participate in and as a basis they need to know how their artificial limb works on pedals.
"The exercise bicycle allows amputees to practise in safety and strengthens muscle groups to aid walking," she added.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1331
Published Date: 24-Feb-00
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