06/12/2024
We were delighted to welcome Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to Omagh Hospital and Primary Care Complex (OHPCC) recently.
Mr Nesbitt took time to engage with Senior Clinical Leaders, Nursing and Support staff and saw first-hand the positive impact the Elective Day Procedure Centre and Regional Endoscopy Unit at the hospital are having on reducing both local and regional waiting lists.
The Endoscopy Unit at Omagh Hospital and Primary Care Complex was selected to enhance capacity on elective endoscopy waiting lists throughout Northern Ireland, treating up to 3,000 patients per year via regional pathways.
The Minister toured the state-of-the-art Day Procedure Centre which is a key component of the Western Trust’s capacity to deliver high-volume, low complexity day procedures. The 3 theatre unit provides services across Pain Management, Gynaecology, Urology, ENT, and general surgery. While the majority of OHPCC sessions are dedicated to Western Trust core services, the centre also provides regional sessions in general surgery, urology and veins.
The Health Minister continued with his visit of facilities at OHPCC including the Rehabilitation and Palliative Care Wards to meet the multidisciplinary teams and speak with patients.
The Rehabilitation Ward, which is a 30 bedded unit, provides physical health rehabilitation to patients over the age of 65 enabling them to reach their maximum level of function, wellness and independence and the 10 bedded Palliative Care Unit, which provides end of life care to patients over the age of 18. Palliative and end of life care is provided to people with life-limiting illnesses which can include heart and lung disease, dementia, advanced cancer and other progressive neurological illness, alongside providing support for their family and carers.
The Health Minister then moved off the hospital site to visit Rathview House in Omagh which is a six bedded mental health assessment unit. The Minister received an update on how the recently repurposed unit has been providing an alternative to hospital for individuals who present in a mental health crisis, as part of a quality improvement project.
Since the remodelling of Rathview the average number of admissions to Acute Mental Health wards has decreased which has had a significant and positive impact on patient flow, ensuring there are beds available in the inpatient wards for those who need them, preventing long waits in Emergency Departments and allowing patients to Receive the Right Care in the Right Place at the right time.
Commenting on his visit Minister Mr Mike Nesbitt said:
“Tackling our lengthy waiting times is a key issue for me and I was delighted to have had the opportunity to see the Day Procedure Centre first hand. This centre plays an important role, providing elective services for the local population and the region as a whole.
“My visit to the Omagh Hospital Primary Care Complex also provided a welcome opportunity to visit both the Regional Endoscopy Centre, which has provided crucial capacity for red-flag suspect cancer endoscopy patients, the Rehabilitation and Palliative Care wards to see first-hand the excellent work that is taking place in both locations, and Rathview House, where I heard about the important work underway helping to ensure the highest standards of care and safety are provided to those with mental ill health.
“I want to thank the dedicated and wonderful staff across all of these sites for the enormous contribution you have made. Your hard work and dedication are making a real difference to those for whom you care.”
The Minister also reiterated his support for the planned acute mental health facility at Omagh Hospital and Primary Care Complex.
“I consider a new mental health unit for Omagh to be a very important and deserving priority for my Department. The Western Trust is currently revising the business case for the planned facility. I remain determined to keep pressing for the necessary funding for this important project and in the meantime my Department continues to work with the Trust to ensure that this scheme will be delivered as quickly as possible.”
Neil Guckian, Western Trust Chief Executive welcomed the Health Minister on his first visit to Omagh Hospital and Primary Care Complex. He said:
“We are delighted to welcome Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to visit a number of facilities at the Omagh Hospital and Primary Care Complex including our Day Procedure Centre, Regional Endoscopy Centre, Rehabilitation and Palliative Care Wards.
“This was a wonderful opportunity to highlight the fantastic work of our staff and the excellent facilities we have at Omagh Hospital and Primary Care Complex.”