Menu
20/06/2002
Case for Enniskillen hospital remains strong
The case for situating a new hospital in the Enniskillen area is as strong as ever Ulster Unionist assembly member Sam Foster has said.
Fermanagh and South Tyrone Assembly member Sam Foster said he was disappointed that the Health Minister refused to confirm the Hayes Report recommendation that a site in Enniskillen or north of Enniskillen was the preferred option for developing better health services in the southwest.
The health minister revealed plans for a shake-up in how Northern Ireland’s hospitals and health service should be run last Wednesday.
One of the more controversial decisions unveiled was the decision to strip the hospital in Omagh (Tyrone County Hospital) of its acute facilities and build a new hospital in or north of Enniskillen in County Fermanagh.
The SDLP’s MLA Joe Byrne for West Tyrone has staunchly resisted the proposals since they were announced.
“Plans to grant enhanced services to Enniskillen at the expense of Tyrone County hospital are based on a flawed analysis.”
“She is plumping for Enniskillen solely because she has failed to have meaningful negotiations with Minister Michael Martin to allow patients from each side of the border to be rushed to the nearest hospital.”
However Bairbre de Brún said the proposals would bring about a more effective service - improving the treatment of life-threatening illnesses like cancer and heart disease.
Backing the proposal for Enniskillen Mr Foster said: “The figures clearly show that building a hospital at or to the north of Enniskillen would mean 8,744 people in Fermanagh and South Tyrone would have a travel time to hospital of more than 45 minutes and 2,131 would have a travel time of between 50 and 55 minutes. None would be more than 55 minutes away from the hospital.
“Locating services at Omagh would mean 24,250 people in Fermanagh and South Tyrone would have more than 45 minutes to travel and 21,234 of them would have more than 50 minutes journey time.”
(AMcE)
Fermanagh and South Tyrone Assembly member Sam Foster said he was disappointed that the Health Minister refused to confirm the Hayes Report recommendation that a site in Enniskillen or north of Enniskillen was the preferred option for developing better health services in the southwest.
The health minister revealed plans for a shake-up in how Northern Ireland’s hospitals and health service should be run last Wednesday.
One of the more controversial decisions unveiled was the decision to strip the hospital in Omagh (Tyrone County Hospital) of its acute facilities and build a new hospital in or north of Enniskillen in County Fermanagh.
The SDLP’s MLA Joe Byrne for West Tyrone has staunchly resisted the proposals since they were announced.
“Plans to grant enhanced services to Enniskillen at the expense of Tyrone County hospital are based on a flawed analysis.”
“She is plumping for Enniskillen solely because she has failed to have meaningful negotiations with Minister Michael Martin to allow patients from each side of the border to be rushed to the nearest hospital.”
However Bairbre de Brún said the proposals would bring about a more effective service - improving the treatment of life-threatening illnesses like cancer and heart disease.
Backing the proposal for Enniskillen Mr Foster said: “The figures clearly show that building a hospital at or to the north of Enniskillen would mean 8,744 people in Fermanagh and South Tyrone would have a travel time to hospital of more than 45 minutes and 2,131 would have a travel time of between 50 and 55 minutes. None would be more than 55 minutes away from the hospital.
“Locating services at Omagh would mean 24,250 people in Fermanagh and South Tyrone would have more than 45 minutes to travel and 21,234 of them would have more than 50 minutes journey time.”
(AMcE)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
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.
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.
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.
05 July 2006
Redevelopment of South Tyrone hospital announced
The government has today announced a new proposal for a major redevelopment of the South Tyrone Hospital.
Redevelopment of South Tyrone hospital announced
The government has today announced a new proposal for a major redevelopment of the South Tyrone Hospital.
08 January 2002
Virus closes hospital beds across province
Hospitals in Northern Ireland are struggling to deal with the effects of a common virus which has left people waiting on trollies for beds and caused a severe backlog in surgery. The virus, which affects patients and staff, comes as hospitals throughout the province struggle to cope with an increased number of patients because of winter illnesses.
Virus closes hospital beds across province
Hospitals in Northern Ireland are struggling to deal with the effects of a common virus which has left people waiting on trollies for beds and caused a severe backlog in surgery. The virus, which affects patients and staff, comes as hospitals throughout the province struggle to cope with an increased number of patients because of winter illnesses.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
