South West Acute Hospital RMGFH
FRESH concerns have been raised about the future of the state-of-the-art stroke unit at the South West Acute Hospital follows news that the number of specialist stroke facilities across the North could be slashed.
As reported in the Herald for over a year, ongoing concerns have been expressed locally that SWAH’s world-class stroke unit, widely renowned as one of the best in Europe, may be under threat.
The latest move is part of a proposed shake-up of stroke services across the North’s five health trusts. The Western Trust have repeatedly stressed that they intend to keep the Enniskillen unit open and highlighted the fact that it provides excellent care and treatment services to the local population.
But the outcome of a new review of regional services may take it out of its hands as health chiefs have launched a major consultation to overhaul stroke care here. Over the next 12 weeks, a Health and Social Care Board pre-consultation response questionnaire entitled ‘Reshaping Stroke Services in Northern Ireland’ will see stroke nursing staff, survivors, charities and carers put forward their views on how existing care can be transformed. Any reforms will be subject to “available resources” due to the absence of a health budget with the Assembly in limbo.
The move will result in ‘improved services’ and ‘fewer settings’ for acute stroke units across Northern Ireland, currently spread across 11 hospital sites including Enniskillen. If the plans go ahead, specialist stroke units in the North could be based at just four hospitals.
Local trade unionist Donal O’Cofaigh, has challenged the proposals:
“The document is the latest step in the undermining of stroke services in the South West Acute Hospital. Communities across Fermanagh are already facing the consequences of long-term underfunding of vital primary healthcare provision; now we face the possible loss of our stroke unit.”
Ulster Unionist MLA Rosemary Barton told the Herald she is worried that many patients will suffer should SWAH be affected.
“One particular fear lies in the distance a patient would have to travel to get treated. The further they have to travel, the less chance they have of a prompt treatment. The acute stroke services at the South West Acute Hospital must be protected.”
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