Menu
02/03/2009
Omagh Acute Care Axed
Accident and emergency services at a regional hospital have today been axed.
Tyrone County Hospital patients requiring acute in-patient care, such as those who have suffered a heart attack, area will now have to travel to either Enniskillen or Londonderry.
However, the move - which triggered strong opposition and a candle-lit vigil outside the Omagh hospital on Sunday evening - was today said to be in the best interests of local health provision.
The Western Health Trust Deputy Chief Executive, Joe Lusby said on BBC Radio Ulster this morning: "The delivery of health and social care has changed dramatically for the benefit of patients over the last 10 to 15 years and the model of care that we are now proposing to provide will be much better than could be provided up to now."
The initiative follows the closing down of the facility's busy accident and emergency department in 2007.
The Sinn Féin Chairperson of Omagh District Council, Cllr Marty McColgan said there was great sadness at the vigil held in Omagh last night.
"The sense of sadness at this event was matched by a sense of anger about the Western Trust's handling of the situation.
"Previous commitments given that a level of acute service provision would be maintained at Tyrone County until the new A&E hospital at Enniskillen become operational have fallen by the wayside and the general feeling is that the Trust were not pro-active in ensuring that this commitment was fulfilled," he said.
"Given the long distances that acutely ill-patients in the catchments area of Tyrone County are be now expected to travel it is incumbent upon the Trust to ensure that additional emergency ambulance cover is provided in this area."
(BMcC/JM)
Tyrone County Hospital patients requiring acute in-patient care, such as those who have suffered a heart attack, area will now have to travel to either Enniskillen or Londonderry.
However, the move - which triggered strong opposition and a candle-lit vigil outside the Omagh hospital on Sunday evening - was today said to be in the best interests of local health provision.
The Western Health Trust Deputy Chief Executive, Joe Lusby said on BBC Radio Ulster this morning: "The delivery of health and social care has changed dramatically for the benefit of patients over the last 10 to 15 years and the model of care that we are now proposing to provide will be much better than could be provided up to now."
The initiative follows the closing down of the facility's busy accident and emergency department in 2007.
The Sinn Féin Chairperson of Omagh District Council, Cllr Marty McColgan said there was great sadness at the vigil held in Omagh last night.
"The sense of sadness at this event was matched by a sense of anger about the Western Trust's handling of the situation.
"Previous commitments given that a level of acute service provision would be maintained at Tyrone County until the new A&E hospital at Enniskillen become operational have fallen by the wayside and the general feeling is that the Trust were not pro-active in ensuring that this commitment was fulfilled," he said.
"Given the long distances that acutely ill-patients in the catchments area of Tyrone County are be now expected to travel it is incumbent upon the Trust to ensure that additional emergency ambulance cover is provided in this area."
(BMcC/JM)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
20 January 2012
Antrim Hospital Waiting Time 'Unacceptable'
Northern Ireland’s Health Minister has criticised the length of time that patients are waiting to be treated at Antrim Area Hospital. Recently it has been reported that patients have been faced with long delays and eight-hour trolley waits before being given a bed.
Antrim Hospital Waiting Time 'Unacceptable'
Northern Ireland’s Health Minister has criticised the length of time that patients are waiting to be treated at Antrim Area Hospital. Recently it has been reported that patients have been faced with long delays and eight-hour trolley waits before being given a bed.
25 January 2008
Inquiry Ordered Into New Mum's Death
An inquiry has been ordered into the hospital death of a young mum who had just given birth. The Northern Health and Social Care Trust - which manages Antrim Area Hospital - confirmed this week they have ordered an independent inquiry. Magherafelt woman Janet Brown died at the in September 2006 just hours after giving birth to her baby son.
Inquiry Ordered Into New Mum's Death
An inquiry has been ordered into the hospital death of a young mum who had just given birth. The Northern Health and Social Care Trust - which manages Antrim Area Hospital - confirmed this week they have ordered an independent inquiry. Magherafelt woman Janet Brown died at the in September 2006 just hours after giving birth to her baby son.
15 June 2012
Poots Putting Brakes On Causeway Hospital Announcement - Dallat
SDLP East Derry MLA John Dallat has spoken of his dismay that an expected announcement on the future of the Causeway Hospital A & E Department, which was due to be made public at a meeting of the Northern Health Trust next Friday, has effectively been shelved on the instructions of the Health Minister Edwin Poots.
Poots Putting Brakes On Causeway Hospital Announcement - Dallat
SDLP East Derry MLA John Dallat has spoken of his dismay that an expected announcement on the future of the Causeway Hospital A & E Department, which was due to be made public at a meeting of the Northern Health Trust next Friday, has effectively been shelved on the instructions of the Health Minister Edwin Poots.
20 July 2011
Belfast Hospitals 'Bugged'
Hospital hygiene is again in focus this week as a number of cases of the clostridium difficile (c.diff) bacterium have been identified in the South Eastern Trust area and a second case of tuberculosis has been confirmed at Belfast City Hospital.
Belfast Hospitals 'Bugged'
Hospital hygiene is again in focus this week as a number of cases of the clostridium difficile (c.diff) bacterium have been identified in the South Eastern Trust area and a second case of tuberculosis has been confirmed at Belfast City Hospital.
12 June 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.
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.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A mostly dry day, rather cloudy, but some sunny spells, best of these in the afternoon. A few showers spread south from late morning, turning wintry in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 5 °C.Tonight:A cold evening and night with a frost. It will be largely dry, but a few wintry showers towards the north coast overnight. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
