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6 May 2003 : Column 676W—continued

Hospitals

Mr. Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his policy is on the future of psychiatric services at the Tyrone and Fermanagh Hospital in Omagh. [110208]

Mr. Browne: The predominant factor in determination of service provision will be the needs of clients and patients and, while the board is placing greater emphasis on more effective alternative provision within the community, there will continue to be a need to commission psychiatric in-patient services at Tyrone and Fermanagh Hospital.

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Mr. Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has for maintaining and developing acute services and sub-regional services at the Tyrone county hospital pending the putting in place of the proposed new hospital north of Enniskillen. [110207]

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Mr. Browne: I do not envisage any change in the status of Tyrone county hospital, pending the development of the new acute hospital in the south-west. During the transition phase I expect every effort to be made to sustain acute services at Tyrone county hospital.

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