07/11/2014

Omagh Hospital Merger Plans On Hold

Plans to merge wards at Tyrone County Hospital in Omagh have been put on hold, it has been announced.

On Thursday, the Western Health Trust confirmed it temporarily halted its plans. The proposals would have seen the palliative care and rehabilitation wards at the hospital merged. This would mean that terminally ill patients would receive treatment in the same ward as patients that are recovering.

Following a meeting with the Trust, Sinn Féin MLA Barry McElduff welcomed the move. He said: "At the meeting, the Trust representatives announced that the proposals have now been paused and that is to be welcomed. The people of Omagh were very concerned about this proposal and I am glad that their voice has been heard and been listened to.

"I would now like the Trust to go further and totally abandon the proposed merger, which I made clear is insensitive and inadequate. I am hopeful that the Trust will continue to listen to the concerns of the local community and overturn this proposal."

(JP/MH)

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