BY MARK McKELVEY

m.mckelvey@ulsterherald.com

DESCENDING on Derry last Thursday, Omagh hospital campaigners made it crystal-clear to the Western Trust board members that not only did they feel "abandoned" but also believed that there are glaring double standards in the way the Trust treats the Tyrone County and Erne Hospitals.

Having been granted speaking rights at this months Western Trust meeting, Omagh Hospital Steering group Chairman David McKee highlighted a recent example of how he believes the two hospitals and two communities are being driven apart by the actions of the Trust.

Firstly, in relation to the Tyrone County Hospital (TCH), he highlighted that one of the new Trust's first actions was to "scrutinise and review" the services at Tyrone County, before then removing children's ENT surgery under the pretence of being "unsafe"

Mr McKee then stated information received in response to a Freedom of Information request concerning the facilities at the Erne, to illustrate his point of inconsistent treatment by the trust, which has caused a "deep and bitter resentment in the Omagh community towards the hospital in Enniskillen".

He said, "Following the recent inspection by MRHA they identified poor premises in the Erne as a serious issue which could culminate in withdrawal of their licence to practice. The same report highlighted the high rejection rates of laboratory samples (currently 30%) and indicated that it has got worse over the last year. It stated that 70% of all errors occur out of hours.

"In our opinion, in the case of TCH the recommendation is to close it as it is unsafe, but when similar happens elsewhere, such as the Erne lab or the finding of MRSA at Altnagelvin, the conclusion is to repair or fix the problem.

"How can anyone justify the way in which the TCH has been mercilessly pilloried when clearly there has been less than perfection at the other hospitals.

"We feel that we have been abandoned — the emergency health care for us remains a serious worry. We don't believe that there has been serious engagement with us regarding our needs. Our old people pray not be taken ill to die in an ambulance on a road somewhere on the way to Enniskillen.

"Where has the notion of equality of health provision gone to?"

These comments received a standing ovation from his fellow campaign group members sitting in the public gallery.

Responding to this speech Elaine Way, Chief Executive of the Western Trust reiterated it is her and the boards aim to always provide an equal, quality healthcare service.

She said, "I have had the privilege of working with David and his fellow committee members over the past few months.

"You have expressed to me the hurt that you and other people of Omagh feel because of the actions and decisions being made.

"I think it is important that we do continue to meet, and I completely respect what you have talked to me about. I want to assure you that no matter where we are providing services in this Trust, we will try to ensure they are of the highest quality, equally available to all."

Fellow hospital campaigners, Kate Law and Michael McGinn also had speaking rights, raising matters of concern to the board members that included the double standards in the removal of ENT services at the Tyrone County Hospital and the groups objections to PFI method of paying for the proposed new area hospital in Omagh.

Earlier that afternoon the North's new political regime was left in no doubt of the fervent feeling to return acute hospital services to Omagh. Firstly, ignoring wind and torrential rain, approximate 20 protesters stood outside the Great Hall at the University of Ulster's Magee campus waiting for the Stormont Health Committee to arrive for its first ever meeting outside Parliament Buildings.

Vice-chairman of the Hospital Steering Group, Fr Kevin Mullan hand-delivered a letter to the committee chairperson, Iris Robinson, requesting a meeting to discuss the health care issues in Tyrone.

The rain clearly hadn't dampened their spirit as the protesters made their feelings clear and managed to secure a promise from Ms Robinson that she will visit Omagh to discuss these matters.

Ms Robinson said, "This is a new regime that is different to has happened in the past and we intend to be open and transparent. If you are inviting me to Omagh, I will certainly come."