FERMANAGH “people power” is being called on once again to save SWAH’s under-threat stroke unit, while the Western Trust is being urged not to abandon patients here.
Yesterday the Department of Health released its ‘Reshaping Stroke Care’ report, which recommends reducing the number of hyperacute stroke units (HASUs) across Northern Ireland from eight to between five and three. Of the six options the report puts forward only two would ensure the SWAH stroke unit would be retained permanently. One further option of the six would keep it open in the short term only.
The report follows a lengthy pre-consultation process by the Department, during which the overwhelming number of respondents were from Fermanagh, showing is the strength of feeling for the SWAH service locally. All options are now being put out for public consultation.
Jill Weir, branch secretary for Unison in the district, said local people should only consider options A and C in the report.
Speaking to the Herald following a briefing at SWAH following the reports publication, Ms Weir said she had been very disappointed to learn the Trust did not intend to fight for the SWAH stroke unit.
“They said they would not be responding, even though the Department of Health has said there is no preferred option,” she said, adding Altnagelvin was safe in all proposed options. “To me our Trust, which is supposed to be there for all of the Western Trust, they should be strongly coming out and saying, to ensure all of the people they look after have an equal service, the only options that should be considered are A or C.”
Ms Weir added: “They need to come out and say we are just as important in Fermanagh as those up near Altnagelvin.”
Ms Weir urged as many local people as possible to take part in the consultation and have their voices heard.
“The consultation, as far as I can see, is going to be very controlled this time,” she said. “They are going to have smaller meetings, and it’s important people attend those meetings and make sure they put their objections forward and state it needs to be in Fermanagh. We should have the same right and outcomes as everybody else. They are not wanting another Killyhevlin situation.”
The public consultation document is available to view at www.health-ni.gov.uk/reshaping-stroke-care.
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