TRUST BOARD AGREES TO BOMB STUDY FOLLOW UP
Trust board agrees to bomb study follow-up
BY MICHAEL BRESLIN
THE Sperrin Lakeland Trust Board are to commission a follow-up to the Omagh Community Study which was carried out some 10 months after the bomb on 15th August, 1998.
Hugh Mills, the Trust's chief executive, told members that some 3,200 people responded and 2,200 gave their consent to a follow-up. He reported that officers had held discussions with the Omagh funders and with the NI Centre for Trauma and Transformation on the issue.
"We received a letter from the director of the Centre indicating their willingness to undertake it under the auspices of the Omagh Bomb Fund".
He explained there were two main reasons for the follow-up to ensure that the proper long-term services were in place to address long-term needs; and, the follow-up could provide valuable additional insights, particularly into the needs of those suffering chronic trauma.
He then explained that those who took part in the original study were contacted and asked if they were willing to be part of the review. He went on, "We continue to be aware of the impact and the trauma in the Omagh community and, obviously, in particular in relation to our staff. We are currently involved in distributing a leaflet ('do you know somebody') which has been produced by the Trauma Centre".
He said the leaflet would be in Trust emloyees' September salaries' envelopes and the Trust board was aware of how they had been affected by their experiences. And, he suggested that if any staff members felt they needed help, they should refer themselves directly to the Trauma Centre or through their GP.
In response to Kevin Martin, Mr Mills confirmed that the Omagh Fund had identified the follow-up as one of the projects they would be spending some of their money on.
And, he told the chairman, Richard Scott that the university professor who was still involved with the Trauma Centre would be involved in drawing up the actual study.
BY MICHAEL BRESLIN
THE Sperrin Lakeland Trust Board are to commission a follow-up to the Omagh Community Study which was carried out some 10 months after the bomb on 15th August, 1998.
Hugh Mills, the Trust's chief executive, told members that some 3,200 people responded and 2,200 gave their consent to a follow-up. He reported that officers had held discussions with the Omagh funders and with the NI Centre for Trauma and Transformation on the issue.
"We received a letter from the director of the Centre indicating their willingness to undertake it under the auspices of the Omagh Bomb Fund".
He explained there were two main reasons for the follow-up to ensure that the proper long-term services were in place to address long-term needs; and, the follow-up could provide valuable additional insights, particularly into the needs of those suffering chronic trauma.
He then explained that those who took part in the original study were contacted and asked if they were willing to be part of the review. He went on, "We continue to be aware of the impact and the trauma in the Omagh community and, obviously, in particular in relation to our staff. We are currently involved in distributing a leaflet ('do you know somebody') which has been produced by the Trauma Centre".
He said the leaflet would be in Trust emloyees' September salaries' envelopes and the Trust board was aware of how they had been affected by their experiences. And, he suggested that if any staff members felt they needed help, they should refer themselves directly to the Trauma Centre or through their GP.
In response to Kevin Martin, Mr Mills confirmed that the Omagh Fund had identified the follow-up as one of the projects they would be spending some of their money on.
And, he told the chairman, Richard Scott that the university professor who was still involved with the Trauma Centre would be involved in drawing up the actual study.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1608
Published Date: 28-Aug-03
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