17 April 2007

Extended hours at Minor Injuries Unit, South Tyrone Hospital

The Minor Injuries Unit at South Tyrone Hospital, Dungannon will be opening from 9am to 9pm every day from Monday, April 23, 2007.

The longer opening hours, replacing the existing 9am to 5pm arrangement, have been welcomed by Colm Donaghy, Chief Executive of Southern Area Health and Social Care Trust.

“I am pleased to be able to announce this extension to the Minor Injuries service at South Tyrone, and to be able to further demonstrate our commitment to services in the Dungannon area,” said Mr Donaghy

“Our staff have been working closely with members of the South Tyrone Community Health Forum in planning for longer opening hours for the MIU,” said Mr Donaghy. “Last year, the hours were extended to include weekends and bank holidays. Now we are able to provide 12 hour daily opening, providing an excellent local service for patients who have less serious injuries or illness.

“The service will continue to be run by a combination of existing medical staff, and highly trained and experienced Emergency Nurse Practitioners. We believe that this mix of staff will allow us to provide quality care and continuity of service, and will play a vital support role to the main Accident and Emergency facility at Craigavon Area Hospital.

“The involvement of the South Tyrone Forum in this latest development at South Tyrone Hospital has been an important part of the process, and I acknowledge their commitment to improving accessible hospital services for the local community,” said Mr Donaghy.

Spokesperson for the South Tyrone Forum, Jim Kerr, said: “We welcome the extension of the opening hours at the Minor Injuries Unit. It is something that we have worked towards over a long period of time. We are now delighted that this is about to be put into place. We feel it is important for people to note this significant improvement to our local facility and to make proper use of it when required.”