UH/2038

Omagh bomb physio funding was earmarked for
artwork
BY MARK McKELVEY
m.inckelvey@ulsterkerald.com

OVER £17,000 donated specifically to provide physio rehabilitation for those injured in the Omagh bombing had been earmarked to purchase artwork for the new hospital in Enniskillen.
However, the Western Trust has now said the money will remain in Omagh.
This is the latest revelation over the proposed reallocation of patient endowment and gift funds which has caused a public outcry locally over the past month. A few weeks ago the Ulster Herald revealed how the trust intended to use a total of £213,078 from 26 separate patient funds from the Tyrone County and Erne Hospitals to purchase 'theraputic' artwork for the new multi-million pounds hospital in Fermanagh.
The trust had originally planned to extract £17,524 from a 'Physio Rehab' fund in Omagh. In response to a Freedom of Information Act request it was revealed that the official title of this fund is 'Physio Rehab 1998.' Local healthcare staff - who wish to remain anonymous - said this is 'legacy money' from the Omagh bomb and there are 'distinct principles' which categorically state how the money was should be spent.
According to the western trust, the 'aims and objectives' of the 'Physio Rehab 98' fund are to 'provide equipment for department, courses, staff welfare and patient's welfare.'
The UIster Herald understands there are still a number of local people receiving physio treatment as a result of injuries sustained in the Omagh bomb.
The western trust's proposal to allocate £17,524 from the physio rehab fund to purchase artwork for the new hospital in Enniskillen was unanimously endorsed at a meeting of the endowment and gifts committee back in August.
It received full backing again at a trust board meeting on September 1 following a presentation by the trust's deputy chief executive, Joe Lusby.
He stated then, "These proposals come forward with the full endorsement of the respective fund signatories, assistant directors, directors and chief executive."
However, following a public backlash in recent weeks the trust has sought legal advice and is reviewing which funds can be used to provide money for the art-work project.
The trust has also confirmed that the £17,524 from the physio rehab fund will now remain in Omagh.
A spokesperson for the trust said, "On the basis of advice received to date there are a number of Tyrone County Hospital specific funds including the physiotherapy fund which will remain exclusively as Tyrone County Hospital funds and therefore will not be available for the artworks programme. It is important to point out that the western trust has suspended any further action in relation to any of the endowment and gifts accounts until further work is done. Only three Erne hospital ward accounts have been cleared to proceed.
"No money has been spent out of the endowment and gifts funds on artworks and no money will be spent until the issue is revisited at the February 2012 trust board