THERE are concerns Altnagelvin Hospital is struggling to cope with the influx of Fermanagh patients being sent up from the SWAH for emergency general surgery (EGS). There are no current official figures for how many local patients are being sent to the SWAH, as Fermanagh patients are deemed new ‘walk ins’ at the Derry hospital rather than […]
Fermanagh RNLI crews join in anniversary celebrations
FERMANAGH’S life-saving volunteers joined in the launch of the RNLI 200th anniversary celebrations in Belfast this week. Stephen McMaster from the Carrybridge RNLI crew and Alan Shaw from the Enniskillen RNLI crew were among volunteers from crews across the North to take part in the launch of the commemorative events at Belfast Harbour on Monday this week (March […]
Making sure every voice is counted
FOLLOWING the deep disappointment when over 30,000 Fermanagh voices were recorded as one consultation response by the Western Trust, Save Our Acute Services (SOAS) was determined to make sure every voice is counted this time around. Early last year SOAS embarked on a passionate campaign to engage the people of Fermanagh with the Trust’s consultation on the removal of […]
Crime is up in Fermanagh
THE FERMANAGH and Omagh area saw the highest increase in crime of any area of the North last year, with concern the cost-of-living crisis may be driving people to the brink. However, despite the rise, the statistics show the local area remains the safest place to live in the North. According to figures released by the […]
‘We need to look to the future’ – Fr Brian D’Arcy
SECURING a bariatric surgery hub at the SWAH would be a “building block” to help sustain wider services into the future, officials from the Department of Health have been told. Among those to address the officials who took time out to meet with SOAS volunteers on Thursday, when the group travelled to Stormont to deliver […]
Royal College director pays a visit to SWAH
ELECTIVE surgery at the SWAH is continuing to grow, with the hospital being lauded as “a great example” of reform of the health service. While Fermanagh patients are continuing to have to travel two hours to Altnagelvin in urgent situations, following the Western Trust’s removal of emergency general surgery from the Enniskillen hospital, efforts are […]
Countdown on to St Patrick’s extravaganza
THIS year’s St Patrick’s Day celebrations in Enniskillen promise to be even bigger and more spectacular than ever, with organisers currently hard at work finalising plans for all the fun and festivities. With the theme ‘Folklore in ‘24’, the team at Project St Patrick are hoping to build on the huge success of last year’s event by including […]
Junior doctors take to the picket lines
JUNIOR doctors in Fermanagh and across the North have begun their first ever strike action, taking to the picket lines this morning (Wednesday) as part of an ongoing dispute over pay and conditions. Anyone with a hospital appointment today is likely to have it rescheduled, with “significant disruption to hospital services” expected as a result of the industrial action, which […]
Heartbreak after father denied access to his child
A HEARTBROKEN mother and grandmother, whose son is being prevented from having any contact with his child, has spoken out on the profound impact parental isolation is having on their family. The local woman has issued an emotional appeal to social services, and the family of her grandchild, to understand the damaging affects of keeping her […]
Fermanagh’s future leaders take seats at the Townhall
THERE were no doubt a few future leaders among the St Kevin’s Student Council who had the opportunity to sample the workings of local government last week. Recently the students from the Lisnaskea college had the change to hold their first Student Council meeting of the new term in the chamber of Enniskillen Townhall. The Student Council, […]