Moves to increase addiction treatment services in the Western Health and Social Services Trust area, have been welcomed by Derry MLA Maeve McLaughlin.
Ms McLaughlin, chairperson of the Stormont Health Committee, was speaking after the Health and Social Care Board approved plans to increase services in Omagh.
The Sinn Fein representative said the expansion of services in the Co Tyrone town would help form part of a “holistic solution” to combat the “misery of addiction” for families across the wider Western Trust area.
Ms McLaughlin said: “The approval of the plan to move towards a three-site 30-bed regional network for addiction treatment services is welcome.
Health Committee chairperson, Derry MLA Maeve McLaughlin
“The previous plan included provision for two sites with 24 beds, which would have limited the opportunity for people throughout the trust’s area to access these vital services.
“Now people from Derry, Strabane and across the wider area will be able to access expanded treatment services at the Omagh site, including detoxification and rehabilitation.
“The facility in Omagh currently operates on a part-time basis but these plans will see it move towards a 24 hours a day, seven days a week service with additional resources.”
Ms McLaughlin concluded: “This comes on the back of work carried out by the addiction task force set up by Sinn Féin to bring together all the groups and individuals working in addiction treatment.
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