It is understood that the ‘Developing Better Services’ team has been removed from the project due to the ongoing political stasis which has meant no health minister has been in place for over a year to sign off on the centre.

Plans have been put in place for a new state of the art Health and Care Centre in Lisnaskea to replace the existing GP surgery. 

Jill Weir from Omagh and Fermanagh Unison branch has told the Herald, 

“ I have been informed that because there is no Stormont in place, it is impacting on the new heath and care unit that is ready to go in Lisnaskea. 

“The Developing Better Services (DBS) were employed to get this centre up and running and have handed over a business case which is waiting to be rubber stamped. 

“There is already GP access problems around Lisnaskea and Roslea, and these services are already stretched so this would have a detrimental impact. 

“Developing Better Services have been redeployed out of the project, because they are sitting waiting to do the work, and they have now been downsized. 

“There is supposed to be a new state of the art health and care building built in Lisnaskea and because we do not have a government, the decision is not being made.”

The case of the Lisnaskea health centre has striking similarities to the current issues ongoing with the new mental health unit proposed at Omagh Hospital. This unit is also facing a delay until a minister is in place. 

A spokesman from the Department of Health said, “The Department is continuing to work with the Western Trust and other relevant organisations to secure an appropriate site and finalise the business case for the new Health and Care facility in Lisnaskea. 

“Work is well progressed, but an exact timeframe remains subject to site acquisition. The Developing Better Services team are not currently undertaking work on this project.