Council Chair hosts reception for WHSCT Medical Students, Physician Associates and Trainee Doctors

Recently the Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor John McClaughry, hosted a reception to welcome new Medic al Students Physician Associates and Trinee Doctors to the Western Health and Social Care Trust and the Fermanagh and Omagh District.

The following is the speech made by the Chair at the reception:

Good evening Fellow Councillors, ladies and gentlemen

As Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, I am delighted to welcome you all here to The Townhall, Enniskillen this evening for this reception to welcome our Medical Students, Physician Associates and Trainee Doctors to the Western Health and Social Care Trust and particularly to the Fermanagh and Omagh District.

We are fortunate to have two state of the art hospitals in our District with the South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen and Omagh Hospital and Primary Care Complex. We also have the Tyrone and Fermanagh Hospital which provides acute mental health inpatient services for adults.

I understand we have a mix of Medical Students, Physician Associates and New to NI and NHS Trainees here this evening.  Each of you will be at different stages in your career path, however, you will have the opportunity to gain experience across various wards in the hospitals.

I have no doubt that you will be working in a very busy environment, however, I am confident that you will be ready to deal with any situation that arises.  I know you will also receive excellent support from the Medical Staff, members of each team and the staff in MedEdWest.

As well as enhancing your own experience, you will also be extremely valuable to the existing Teams in the hospitals and you will have the opportunity share your knowledge with the students from Queens University Belfast, Ulster University and the Royal College of Surgeons.

The Council has an ongoing working relationship with the Western Health and Social Care Trust through the Health and Social Care Services Sub-Committee.  This provides an opportunity for Councillors to meet with the Senior Management of the Trust to discuss and seek to advance important health and social care related matters which impact our residents.

I know you will be working long hours in the hospitals, however, it is also important for you to take some down time to relax.  The Fermanagh and Omagh District has so much to offer including a vibrant hospitality sector, strong retail presence with a number of unique independent shops, two Arts Centres with performances and workshops and four leisure centres.

For those of you who prefer the outdoors, there are a great number of parks, walks and water activities as well as unique attractions such as the Marble Arch Caves, Enniskillen Castle, three National Trust Properties and the Ulster American Folk Park to name a few.

I would like to commend the Western Health and Social Care Trust, the Northern Ireland Medical and Dental Training Agency and the MedEdWest Team for providing you with the opportunity to gain such a broad range of experience in various departments.

I am delighted that you have chosen the Western Trust area to be your place of work and I am confident you will be a valuable addition to the workforce in our hospitals.

Working on the front line in medical care is not an easy role, however, I know you will have many enjoyable hours and be ready to face any challenges.  I commend you for choosing a career in the medical field and for the care and attention you give to patients, always putting them first.

I am confident that you will be made to feel welcome in our District and you will quickly become a local.

On behalf of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, and on my own behalf, I would like to once again welcome you to the District and thank you for your ongoing commitment and dedication to the NHS to ensure that our people are healthy and well.  I sincerely hope you enjoy your time in the Western Trust and in the Fermanagh and Omagh District and that perhaps you will choose to stay here.