PEOPLE have been urged to come out in force once again to defend SWAH’s stroke unit.
The Department of Health has announced a public meeting on proposals to ‘reshape’ stroke services across the North which will be held at the Killyhevlin Hotel, Enniskillen on June 19 at 7pm.
The consultation includes six options with four of the options including the removal of the stroke ward at SWAH.
The reshaping stroke proposals involve a new network of ‘Hyperacute stroke units’, and the Department claims this is about ‘ensuring patients have access to the best possible care in regional centres of excellence.’
Stephen McAloon of Fermanagh Stroke Group said this is concerning as when it comes to stroke it is a matter of life or death. “We are concerned about a new network of Hyperacute stroke units – they may say it is still an acute stroke hospital but the concern is that we are going to lose the treatment service for strokes, and we will be left with just rehabilitation.
“People are going to die, and the longer you are before getting treatment, more brain cells are impacted which means a severe disability or death.
“We think they are trying to control the crowd as they do not want a repeat of the last one, but I am hoping people will turn out in force.”
Those wishing to attend the meeting must register and book online at, www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/reshaping-stroke-care-public-engagement-events-tickets-62706402538
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