Hospital 'set to lose services'

Surgical and A&E services look likely to be removed

Surgical and A&E services look likely to be removed from Omagh Hospital in County Tyrone.

Health Minister Shaun Woodward received a report from the Royal College of Surgeons which shows hospital services in the south west are "unsafe".

The minister has put this report along with two others out for consultation for two weeks.

After that period, the Department of Health will decide what should happen next.

BBC Northern Ireland health correspondent Dot Kirby said one of the reports received by the minister was from the Royal College of Surgeons.

"It says what happens in hospitals in the south-west isn't safe and isn't sustainable so the health minister wants staff and health planners to spend the next few weeks studying this report, and two others he's received, which are on a similar theme," she said.

'Decision'

"But what's likely to happen is the withdrawal of 24-hour A&E and emergency surgery from the Tyrone County Hospital in Omagh.

"The minister will make his decision known in the week beginning 3 October."

In March, Sperrin Lakeland Trust revealed plans for a £175m Enniskillen hospital and a £90m facility in Omagh.

In July, Mr Woodward said people would have access to acute services and there would be new hospitals in both towns.

He said some acute services would be provided - an accident and emergency service at Enniskillen and minor injuries unit at Omagh.

However, speaking on Monday, Sinn Fein West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty said his party believed there must be a future for the new Tyrone County Hospital "that is both safe and meets the needs of the local community".

'Essential'

"I am very concerned at the immediate implications of this announcement for the future of the Tyrone County," he said.

"However, Sinn Féin believe that in the long-term there is the potential to secure essential hospital services for west Tyrone."

He added: "As the MP for the area I am committed to securing a long-term future for accessible quality hospital provision in west Tyrone.

"Central to this is the need for the department to address the long-term under resourcing of hospital services west of the Bann (river)."

Ulster Unionist West Tyrone assembly member Derek Hussey said party representatives from the area would be seeking an immediate meeting with the health minister to express their concerns.

"There is a palpable sense of anger within the community at this development," he said.

"Angela Smith vowed to ensure maintenance and enhancement of services until a replacement hospital for the region was in place - that patently has not happened."

SDLP health spokesperson Carmel Hanna said she was "perturbed" that surgical services at Omagh Hospital may cease.

"The people of Omagh have been let down by a political failure," she said.

"It is highly unsatisfactory that the future of hospital provision is being decided by the Royal College of Surgeons rather than those with political responsibility."