Menu
12/06/2002
Proposed acute hospital plan sparks row
Proposals to reform hospital services in Northern Ireland have met with a mixed response from local politicians.
Published by Health Minister Bairbre de Brún, the document contains a hotly contested proposal to locate a new acute hospital in Enniskillen, while closing the current acute facilities in Omagh.
Explaining the need for change, the Minister said: "A modern hospital system that will meet the needs of all our people, well into the future, will require a fundamental change in the way that services are delivered and administered."
The Minister added that the proposals were not about reducing services, but increasing efficiency and building "firm foundations for the future".
Reaction to the document was swift, with politicians lining up to welcome or condemn the suggested closure based on location rather than along traditional party lines. Indeed, representatives in Omagh have issued reactions fiercely at odds with those of their party colleagues in Enniskillen.
Pat Doherty, West Tyrone Sinn Fein MP urged Omagh residents to "come out fighting" and described the recommendation to locate the new acute hospital in Enniskillen as "completely wrong", while Joe Byrne, SDLP Assembly member for West Tyrone described the plan as a "Cromwellian healthcare policy for the people of Tyrone."
Mr Byrne pointed out that hospitals in both Sligo and Cavan ensured less need in Enniskillen for acute services, as ambulances no longer stopped at the border. He also expressed amazement that Ms de Brun's plan was based on a six-county rather than an all-Ireland approach.
Conversely, the SDLP's Tommy Gallagher, MLA for Fermanagh/South Tyrone and Deputy Chair of The Assembly's Health Committee welcomed the proposal, citing it as "very good news for the people of Fermanagh."
Michelle Gildernew, Sinn Fein MP for Fermanagh/South Tyrone also welcomed the planned move, claiming it redressed a history of neglect in the region.
Minister de Brún's proposals are based heavily on the Hayes Report, issued last summer by a taskforce appointed to review Northern Ireland’s acute hospitals.
The report advised streamlining these services into nine main hospitals – thus downgrading seven of the province’s remaining smaller hospitals.
(GB)
Published by Health Minister Bairbre de Brún, the document contains a hotly contested proposal to locate a new acute hospital in Enniskillen, while closing the current acute facilities in Omagh.
Explaining the need for change, the Minister said: "A modern hospital system that will meet the needs of all our people, well into the future, will require a fundamental change in the way that services are delivered and administered."
The Minister added that the proposals were not about reducing services, but increasing efficiency and building "firm foundations for the future".
Reaction to the document was swift, with politicians lining up to welcome or condemn the suggested closure based on location rather than along traditional party lines. Indeed, representatives in Omagh have issued reactions fiercely at odds with those of their party colleagues in Enniskillen.
Pat Doherty, West Tyrone Sinn Fein MP urged Omagh residents to "come out fighting" and described the recommendation to locate the new acute hospital in Enniskillen as "completely wrong", while Joe Byrne, SDLP Assembly member for West Tyrone described the plan as a "Cromwellian healthcare policy for the people of Tyrone."
Mr Byrne pointed out that hospitals in both Sligo and Cavan ensured less need in Enniskillen for acute services, as ambulances no longer stopped at the border. He also expressed amazement that Ms de Brun's plan was based on a six-county rather than an all-Ireland approach.
Conversely, the SDLP's Tommy Gallagher, MLA for Fermanagh/South Tyrone and Deputy Chair of The Assembly's Health Committee welcomed the proposal, citing it as "very good news for the people of Fermanagh."
Michelle Gildernew, Sinn Fein MP for Fermanagh/South Tyrone also welcomed the planned move, claiming it redressed a history of neglect in the region.
Minister de Brún's proposals are based heavily on the Hayes Report, issued last summer by a taskforce appointed to review Northern Ireland’s acute hospitals.
The report advised streamlining these services into nine main hospitals – thus downgrading seven of the province’s remaining smaller hospitals.
(GB)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
11 June 2002
Tyrone County hospital set to lose acute services
Local assembly members have expressed their concern over the proposal to remove acute and life saving emergency services from Tyrone County Hospital. The proposals, as recommended in the Hayes Report, are expected to be endorsed by the Health Minister Bairbre de Brún tomorrow in a consultation document.
Tyrone County hospital set to lose acute services
Local assembly members have expressed their concern over the proposal to remove acute and life saving emergency services from Tyrone County Hospital. The proposals, as recommended in the Hayes Report, are expected to be endorsed by the Health Minister Bairbre de Brún tomorrow in a consultation document.
04 November 2021
New £115million Acute Services Block Opens At Ulster Hospital
The first phase of the new £115million Acute Services Block (ASB) at Ulster Hospital in Dundonald has been officially opened by Health Minister Robin Swann. Following a tour of the new facilities Minister Swann said: "Today marks another major achievement for the hospital and the South Eastern Trust.
New £115million Acute Services Block Opens At Ulster Hospital
The first phase of the new £115million Acute Services Block (ASB) at Ulster Hospital in Dundonald has been officially opened by Health Minister Robin Swann. Following a tour of the new facilities Minister Swann said: "Today marks another major achievement for the hospital and the South Eastern Trust.
10 August 2012
Accident Man Sent Home From Casualty Hours After Losing Two Fingers
A man who lost two fingers in a lawnmower accident was sent home just two and a half hours after attending hospital, the Impartial Reporter newspaper has reported. School bus driver Johnny Nelson, from Tamlaght, visited the new £276m South West Acute Hospital after his accident, which happened while he was taking a grass box off a lawnmower.
Accident Man Sent Home From Casualty Hours After Losing Two Fingers
A man who lost two fingers in a lawnmower accident was sent home just two and a half hours after attending hospital, the Impartial Reporter newspaper has reported. School bus driver Johnny Nelson, from Tamlaght, visited the new £276m South West Acute Hospital after his accident, which happened while he was taking a grass box off a lawnmower.
02 October 2024
Health Minister Unveils Hospital Reconfiguration Framework
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has launched a new framework aimed at reconfiguring hospitals across Northern Ireland to create a more sustainable and efficient network of care. The document, titled 'Hospitals – Creating a Network for Better Outcomes', outlines the key principles that will guide the reorganisation of hospital services.
Health Minister Unveils Hospital Reconfiguration Framework
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has launched a new framework aimed at reconfiguring hospitals across Northern Ireland to create a more sustainable and efficient network of care. The document, titled 'Hospitals – Creating a Network for Better Outcomes', outlines the key principles that will guide the reorganisation of hospital services.
26 March 2003
UUP 'concerned' over health provision in south west
The Ulster Unionist Party has voiced its concerns over the status of health provision in Mid-Ulster, with party leader David Trimble pledging to raise the issue when the assembly gets back on track. Mr Trimble voiced his "serious concerns" over the growing gap in provision of hospital services in Tyrone.
UUP 'concerned' over health provision in south west
The Ulster Unionist Party has voiced its concerns over the status of health provision in Mid-Ulster, with party leader David Trimble pledging to raise the issue when the assembly gets back on track. Mr Trimble voiced his "serious concerns" over the growing gap in provision of hospital services in Tyrone.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
