The minister was responding to media reports following a meeting with the five MLAs from West Tyrone in Belfast recently.
He said: “During the meeting I again outlined the range of services which would be included in the new £190million enhanced local hospital in Omagh. Day surgery will be expanded, Ear, Nose and Throat day surgery and renal dialysis will be maintained.
“I also reaffirmed my three pledges for the hospital which included:
- A 24/7 doctor-led Urgent Care and Treatment Centre
- The feasibility of developing a midwifery-led unit in Omagh and,
- The development of proposals to improve the emergency response times in Fermanagh and West Tyrone.
“I understand the long-held concerns in the Omagh area and the disappointment which still remains over the decision to site the acute hospital in Enniskillen. However, that decision was made many years ago and it is time to move on.
“The way health services are being delivered is changing. We will have different kinds of hospitals offering a range of services depending on the needs of the local population. My key priority is that the services provide safe, high quality healthcare for everyone. I have met with staff at Tyrone County Hospital and I have no doubt about their commitment and dedication to their patients both today and to the future of services in the area.
“I recognise that in rural areas accessibility can be challenging and later today I will be meeting with the Minister for Regional Development to see how we can improve the roads infrastructure in the south west.”
The new local hospital complex will provide important local services including outpatient clinics, diagnostics, renal dialysis, day surgery, inpatient beds, services for children and urgent care. It will be a vital part of the health care system for the area which will include the acute hospital being built at Wolff Lough near Enniskillen.
The addition of a health and care centre and mental health facility, as part of the Omagh Hospital Complex, creates an exciting and very innovative model for the future delivery of a wide range of integrated hospital and primary care services on a single site.
The Minister continued: “I believe that the negative remarks which are constantly made about hospital services in Omagh are not helpful and are, in fact, painting a false picture of what is actually a positive development for people in the area.
“I would look to local representatives to provide leadership and to engage in constructive dialogue with commissioners and providers of health services to help shape the future of care for their constituents.
The Minister concluded: “There is now an opportunity for local politicians to work with my Department, the Western Board and the Western Trust to develop and progress services for the south west. A massive investment of almost £0.5billion is being made in the area to build two new hospitals – that is proof of my commitment to delivering high quality health services for the population of the area.”
Notes to Editors:
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