THE WESTERN Trust has issued a public appeal for Fermanagh patients to use it’s ‘Phone First’ service today, with a total of 74 patients awaiting treatment and 25 patients waiting admission at the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH) emergency department (ED).
In a statement issued this afternoon, a spokesperson for the Trust said, “If your condition is urgent rather than an emergency, we encourage you to seek the assistance of your local GP, Community Pharmacy or call the Phone First service from 8am – midnight where experienced healthcare professionals will advise you on the best route and location for treatment.”
The Phone First number is 0300 020 6000.
They added, “The volume of patients in our Emergency Department makes it very challenging for space. Please attend alone where possible. If you have a medical or mental health emergency, then you should always call 999 or proceed immediately to your nearest Emergency Department.”
Meanwhile, the Trust has also made the same appeal for Altnagelvin Hospital ED, where there are currently 116 patients awaiting treatment and 60 awaiting admission.