BRIDGE CENTRE WAS INVALUABLE TO VICTIMS OF OMAGH BOMB
Bridge Centre was invaluable to victims of the Omagh bomb
By NIGEL McDONAGH
Closure would mean appalling loss
THE future of the Omagh Trauma Centre is being kept under active review as more and more people are seeking help for the first time, the Omagh Bomb Inquest was told last week.
Director of Community Care with the Sperrin Lakeland Trust, David Bolton, told the Inquest that while the Trauma Centre anticipated the inquests to be difficult, in reality they have been more difficult than expected.
"So many people have held back and they are now coming forward for the first time. They are surprised and overwhelmed that the events of 1998 are now having an impact," he said.
Recent reports that the Trauma Centre is facing closure at Christmas remain unconfirmed despite pleas from the devastated families of those killed in the atrocity to the authorities to keep the centre open.
Since it was established in August 1998 in the immediate aftermath of the Omagh bomb 622 individuals have been referred to the centre and 148 individuals are currently still attending.
Michael Gallagher, who lost his son Aidan, 21, in the Real IRA outrage, has said the trauma team has provided invaluable support during the Inquest and that to close the centre would be 'appalling'.
"Some families have already expressed their disappointment and great concern at this decision to the Health Board.
"In the last two years we have built up a great rapport with these people. We know them and trust them implicitly and know that whenever we need them, they are there.
"It takes a while to build up trust like that and to suddenly have that source of help and strength taken away is terrible to think about.
"It will be very startling in December to suddenly not have this wonderful, vital help," said Mr Gallagher.
"There is still a large number of people using the centre and they would find it even more difficult if they had to endure a long drive travelling to Belfast just for one hour's consultation.
"The North West should have its own trauma centre, not just for the after effects of the Omagh bomb, but also for those suffering after effects from bereavements or accidents," he added.
The Sperrin Lakeland Trust received allocated funding which supported the trauma team until the end of March 2000, and are currently awaiting a response to an application for additional funding until the end of December this year.
Mr Bolton said that the trauma team always knew that when the Inquests were over the funding would have to be kept under active review and added that Sperrin Lakeland Trust will now want to look at the needs that have arisen from the inquests.
"Beyond December we will be looking at that very seriously and if necessary will make a further submission to the Department of Health and Social Services," he said.
By NIGEL McDONAGH
Closure would mean appalling loss
THE future of the Omagh Trauma Centre is being kept under active review as more and more people are seeking help for the first time, the Omagh Bomb Inquest was told last week.
Director of Community Care with the Sperrin Lakeland Trust, David Bolton, told the Inquest that while the Trauma Centre anticipated the inquests to be difficult, in reality they have been more difficult than expected.
"So many people have held back and they are now coming forward for the first time. They are surprised and overwhelmed that the events of 1998 are now having an impact," he said.
Recent reports that the Trauma Centre is facing closure at Christmas remain unconfirmed despite pleas from the devastated families of those killed in the atrocity to the authorities to keep the centre open.
Since it was established in August 1998 in the immediate aftermath of the Omagh bomb 622 individuals have been referred to the centre and 148 individuals are currently still attending.
Michael Gallagher, who lost his son Aidan, 21, in the Real IRA outrage, has said the trauma team has provided invaluable support during the Inquest and that to close the centre would be 'appalling'.
"Some families have already expressed their disappointment and great concern at this decision to the Health Board.
"In the last two years we have built up a great rapport with these people. We know them and trust them implicitly and know that whenever we need them, they are there.
"It takes a while to build up trust like that and to suddenly have that source of help and strength taken away is terrible to think about.
"It will be very startling in December to suddenly not have this wonderful, vital help," said Mr Gallagher.
"There is still a large number of people using the centre and they would find it even more difficult if they had to endure a long drive travelling to Belfast just for one hour's consultation.
"The North West should have its own trauma centre, not just for the after effects of the Omagh bomb, but also for those suffering after effects from bereavements or accidents," he added.
The Sperrin Lakeland Trust received allocated funding which supported the trauma team until the end of March 2000, and are currently awaiting a response to an application for additional funding until the end of December this year.
Mr Bolton said that the trauma team always knew that when the Inquests were over the funding would have to be kept under active review and added that Sperrin Lakeland Trust will now want to look at the needs that have arisen from the inquests.
"Beyond December we will be looking at that very seriously and if necessary will make a further submission to the Department of Health and Social Services," he said.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1474
Published Date: 28-Sep-00
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