The ‘Fermanagh Save Our Services’ campaign group is hosting ‘Save our NHS’ public meetings throughout the county, beginning at the Glencar Bar in Lisbellaw this evening, January 10th with another event scheduled for Roslea Community Centre this Friday, January 12th, both starting at 7.30pm. 

Fermanagh SOS says the meetings will focus on “defending our NHS and local health services”, adding that their team has received a great response on the doors from “people who are livid about the engineered crisis in our NHS”. 

Recent GP surgery closures in Lisnaskea, Maguiresbridge and Roslea along with pressure on the Maple Group Practice are expected to top the agenda as well as threats to services, particularly the Stroke Ward, at South West Acute Hospital.     

Meanwhile, the Department of Health has organised a second public meeting on the future of medical imaging services at SWAH at Fermanagh House on Monday next, January 15th at 7pm. An initial public meeting was held into a region-wide review into modernising medical imaging services such as X-ray and MRI scanning at Enniskillen Townhall on December 14. Members of Fermanagh SOS and others walked out in protest at what they said was a poor venue choice and also at the lack of notice given ahead of the event. 

Those wishing to attend the latest meeting next week are asked to email ImagingReviewConsultation@health-ni.gov.uk. The Department has also extended the consultation deadline until January 22nd. 

Padraig Murphy of Fermanagh SOS is encouraging as many people as possible to turn out for the meetings, particularly next Monday’s, and stressed that the people of Fermanagh must “continue to stand up and fight for local services”. 

“We would encourage as many people as possible to attend and make their determination clear – we will not be losing access to 24-hour medical imaging services,” he said.