WEST Tyrone Ulster Unionist MLA, Derek Hussey, has welcomed the Department of Health's decision to allow the public to have their say in regard to trauma services within Northern Ireland.

Mr Hussey said, "There has been much public concern, particularly in the West, over the Health Service decision to centralise trauma services within Northern Ireland at the RVH in Belfast.

"I am however wary of the reasoning behind such a reversal of the Department's policy in that this must not just be another cosmetic exercise.

"In the past the Department has undertaken 'consultations' in respect of various services provided in Counties Tyrone and Fermanagh but, despite the responses received, have continued along their own path leading to reductions in service provision. Omagh, and the Tyrone County Hospital in particular, is a clear case in point."

Mr Hussey said that when 30,000 plus people, supported by all of their elected representatives, took to the streets in Omagh in support of an acute service being retained at Tyrone County Hospital, a clear signal was sent to the Department of Health which was ignored by the Department and the then Minister, Shaun Woodward.

CENTRALISING

"The Department has already made clear their declared intention of centralising trauma cases in the Royal Victoria Hospital. Time is of vital importance in the treatment of extreme trauma cases and I am not convinced that lives will not be lost, particularly in the West, given the time needed to be transported to Belfast. The so-called 'Golden Hour' rule is being ignored.

"More than one-third of Northern Ireland's population will be adversely affected if trauma services are to be dealt with solely in Belfast."

Mr Hussey added that the consultation process was real and if the Department was going to listen to the genuine concerns of the people of Northern Ireland there would obviously need to be a minimum of two trauma centres. "Certainly Belfast would need to be one of these and obviously West of the Bann needs a centre, probably sited in Londonderry.

"With siting of a centre of this type in Londonderry the relocation of some services, presently dealt with at Altnagelvin, would have to be considered. Obvioiously Omagh, as the next largest centre of population and growing, with regard to the Tyrone County Hospital specifically, would justify the transfer of such services currently undertaken at Altnagelvin.

"Omagh has a strong case for the retention and expansion of services and now is the time for the Department of Health to act for the good of all of us living in the West," he added.