Figures have been released for the six month period after the South West Acute Hospital opened back in June
IN A whirlwind six months the South West Hospital has seen 668 births and dealt with over 80,000 patients.
After releasing its figures which cover the six-month period from the opening of the hospital in June until December last, the Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) paid tribute to all those involved in delivering care to patients at the South West Acute Hospital.
The figures show that, between June 2012 and December 2012, some 14,338 members of the public have attended its Emergency Department and nearly 10,000 have benefited from its inpatient services.
A further 58,000 outpatient interventions took place, such as specialist consultant clinics, physiotherapy appointments or seeing a specialist nurse.
Of those who attended A and E, 93% of those were seen within four hours and no one had to endure a waiting time of over 12 hours.
Dr Ronan O’Hare is a Consultant in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine and was the lead clinician responsible for the patients’ transfer from the Erne back in June 2012.
He said the last six months had been ‘impressive’.
“Many of the services and facilities available at the new hospital have enabled more patients to be treated locally with better outcomes.
“The new Endobronchial ultrasound procedure, for example, is now available for the first time in Northern Ireland at the South West Acute Hospital and is helping some patients with suspected lung cancer to achieve their diagnosis in a shorter time period.
“The hospital’s Emergency Department performance is among the best in Northern Ireland, and this is down to the dedication and hard work of ourstaff.”
The South-West is one of the most modern and patient centred hospitals in Europe, for instance, it is equipped with a state-of-the-art Pneumatic Tube System which allows staff in wards and departments to send and receive supplies, including medicines.
The pharmacy department is also equipped with a computerised robotic dispensing system. This has allowed pharmacy staff to spend more time on the wards, managing medicines for patients and their carers, and has reduced waiting times for dispensing of medicines.
Meanwhile, people requiring inpatient care have received it in state-of-the- art single, en suite rooms.
Joe Lusby, the Deputy Chief Executive for the Western Trust thanked staff for the huge efforts they have made in the past six months to achieve such excellent results.
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