Hundreds of people are expected to attend the meeting in the Killyhevlin Hotel tonight (Wednesday) at 7pm to oppose a consultation to reshape stroke services. 

The consultation includes six options with four of the options including the removal of the stroke ward at SWAH, and after hearing about the threat, Waterford man Odhran MacMurchadha has spoken out after suffering a stroke and has credited SWAH with saving his life and aiding his recovery. 

In December 2018, Mr MacMurchadha who works as a floor manager with TG4, was covering a GAA match in Healy Park in Omagh when he began to feel unsteady on his feet.

 He was attended to by two doctors at the match, and he was rushed to SWAH by ambulance. 

Mr MacMurchadha explained, “I got to SWAH within the hour and I was administered the clot busting drug as soon as possible after a quick diagnosis. If I had not have received this treatment as quickly as I did, I could’ve been in a very bad situation. 

Sickness has no borders or timeline – it can happen to anyone anywhere. The important thing to do is to get people to hospital as quickly as possible and carry out the treatment. I am living proof of that. Stroke is time critical and people’s live will be put at risk if this ward closes. Half an hour extra, and I could have just not made it or been left in a wheelchair.”

Mr MacMurchadha stayed in SWAH for six weeks, over Christmas and new year, until he had recovered enough to go home to Waterford. Due to the treatment and care he received, he has voiced his support for the retention of the stroke unit at SWAH.

“In ward five, the staff were outstanding. I could not have had more care and attention, and they were my family for six weeks. I trusted in them fully to do the right thing for me and they were really professional. 

“I would not be as well as I am today if it was not for them. I was there over Christmas and New Year and I was unfortunate to be in the situation, but fortunate enough to be seen by the wonderful staff in ward five.”