BY MARK McKELVEY
In a move to be more transparent and communicative with members of the public and learn about their concerns regarding health provisions, the Stormont Health Committee has confirmed it intends to hold a public meeting in Omagh.
Primarily the purpose of the visit will be to meet with representatives of the local hospital steering group, but they will also be open for dialogue with members of the public to learn and discuss the health issues that affects the local community in West Tyrone.
Although no date has been set for this meeting, committee member and local West Tyrone Assembly member Kieran Deeny said they hoped to hold this public meeting sometime in June before Stormont closes for summer recess.
Dr Deeny said, "I have always felt we needed to get the whole Health Committee onboard regarding the health issues we face here and show fully the inequality of services that exists West of the Bann.
"I have asked the Committee to come to Omagh and meet the community and steering group that represents all parties and religions to hear first-hand the healthcare inequality that exists.
"The committee Chair, Iris Robinson has agreed to the visit and hopefully this meeting will take place in June, but I think the members from the East are starting to realise the serious situation that is being faced in Tyrone, and with this growing support we will be also able to put more pressure on the Health Minister regarding these clear health inequalities."
Highlighting this 'inequality" Dr Deeny commented about the early closure without warning of the accident and emergency department at the Mid-Ulster Hospital last Friday.
"This now means that we have a black-hole, with no A&E departments within 40 miles of Carrickmore for example, yet there are seven within 20 miles of Belfast," he declared.
Meanwhile Dr Deeny said he was not surprised at this week's report that criticised the "appalling" condition regarding hygiene in the Altnagelvin Hospital. A report by the Western Health and Social Care Council highlighted dirty toilets and bathrooms.
The Carrickmore GP said, "I regularly hear from my patients that have used Altnagelvin that it is extremely unhygienic. Tyrone people are using the Altnagelvin and Graigavon Hospitals more now since the loss of services locally which means both hospitals are stretched to capacity as people are choosing not to use the services at the Erne. There is now a conveyor belt mentality of in and out without proper cleaning.
"When patients have the choice, and GP's have the choice they choose Graigavon or Altnagelvin which means the two hospitals are run off their feet to such an extent that hygiene and staff moral is suffering."
