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Hospital cuts 'could cost lives' Hospital cuts 'could cost lives'
(about 6 hours later)
People who are acutely ill will no longer be treated in Tyrone County Hospital in Omagh.People who are acutely ill will no longer be treated in Tyrone County Hospital in Omagh.
Those who suffer a heart attack or are injured in a car accident will now be taken to hospitals in Enniskillen or Londonderry.Those who suffer a heart attack or are injured in a car accident will now be taken to hospitals in Enniskillen or Londonderry.
Local people marked the end of an era on Sunday with a vigil. One Omagh GP said the closure could cost lives.Local people marked the end of an era on Sunday with a vigil. One Omagh GP said the closure could cost lives.
The Western Trust has defended its decision, saying it has struggled to recruit staff.The Western Trust has defended its decision, saying it has struggled to recruit staff.
Dr Josephine Deehan, an Omagh GP and councillor, said: "I think when history looks back at this decision, it will be illustrated that this was a wrong decision and it really does represent a huge injustice to the people of Omagh and West Tyrone.Dr Josephine Deehan, an Omagh GP and councillor, said: "I think when history looks back at this decision, it will be illustrated that this was a wrong decision and it really does represent a huge injustice to the people of Omagh and West Tyrone.
"Unfortunately, our people may pay for that with their lives.""Unfortunately, our people may pay for that with their lives."
Dr John McGuinness, a consultant anaesthetist in the hospital, said he had reservations about the way the decision had been implemented.Dr John McGuinness, a consultant anaesthetist in the hospital, said he had reservations about the way the decision had been implemented.
"The announcement was made...on 22 January so it took 38 days to effectively bring to an end 110 years of service to this community," he said."The announcement was made...on 22 January so it took 38 days to effectively bring to an end 110 years of service to this community," he said.
The model of care that we are now proposing to provide will be much better than could be provided up to now Joe LusbyWestern Health Trust Olive Wylie speaking about staff morale at the decision
Joe Lusby, deputy chief executive of the Western Health and Social Care Trust, said it had not been possible to sustain acute services due to staffing problems.Joe Lusby, deputy chief executive of the Western Health and Social Care Trust, said it had not been possible to sustain acute services due to staffing problems.
He said there had been a reliance on doctors flown in from England who, on at least three occasions recently, had not been able to turn up.He said there had been a reliance on doctors flown in from England who, on at least three occasions recently, had not been able to turn up.
"That is not a good service for the people of Omagh," he said."That is not a good service for the people of Omagh," he said.
"It is natural that people want to hold onto something that they are familiar with but the delivery of health and social care has changed dramatically for the benefit of patients over the last 10 to 15 years."It is natural that people want to hold onto something that they are familiar with but the delivery of health and social care has changed dramatically for the benefit of patients over the last 10 to 15 years.
"The model of care that we are now proposing to provide will be much better than could be provided up to now."The model of care that we are now proposing to provide will be much better than could be provided up to now.
"That's not taking away from the fact that the Tyrone County Hospital has provided outstanding services over the last number of years.""That's not taking away from the fact that the Tyrone County Hospital has provided outstanding services over the last number of years."
The model of care that we are now proposing to provide will be much better than could be provided up to now Joe LusbyWestern Health Trust
He said he understood the anguish of local people and staff.He said he understood the anguish of local people and staff.
"However, we are working very closely with trade unions and staff to try and effect these changes as sensitively as possible and to try to bring staff along with us," he said."However, we are working very closely with trade unions and staff to try and effect these changes as sensitively as possible and to try to bring staff along with us," he said.
The Tyrone County Hospital's accident and emergency department closed two years ago.The Tyrone County Hospital's accident and emergency department closed two years ago.
Nurses from the Omagh hospital are now being transferred to the Erne and Altnagelvin hospitals.Nurses from the Omagh hospital are now being transferred to the Erne and Altnagelvin hospitals.
The new acute hospital for the south west is due to open in Enniskillen in 2012.The new acute hospital for the south west is due to open in Enniskillen in 2012.