FERMANAGH politician Arlene Foster said it was “quite inhumane” that people weren’t able to be with their loved ones during the Covid-19 pandemic, as part of the Government restrictions. Adhering to advice from the Department of Health, hospitals across the North suspended visiting in a bid to reduce the spread of Covid-19, which was having […]
Heartbreaking funeral memories during the pandemic
A LOCAL funeral director has shared his harrowing memories of funerals during a global pandemic. Pat Blake from Derrylin has recalled having to bury people when family or loved ones were not allowed to attend due to coronavirus restrictions. “It seems like a lifetime ago the whole Covid era but the incidents are like yesterday,” he said. […]
‘The thing that hurts the most is he died alone’
“FIVE years on it still hurts” are the words of a Fermanagh woman who lost her brother during the pandemic. Anne Elliott-King lost her brother Basil Elliott after he contracted Covid-19 following a long period of ill-health. “It still hurts that we couldn’t have a proper funeral for my brother but to be honest people are […]
‘There is going to be a lot of people dying’
DURING the recent public meeting of ‘Save Our Acute Services’, Fr Brian D’Arcy read out an emotional letter from a patient who was too ill to be there on the night. “I had half my bowl removed three years ago in SWAH, it saved my life, I was in theatre for eight hours and in […]
Campaigners urge locals to attend meeting on SWAH
HEALTH campaigners are encouraging residents to attend a Department of Health meeting in Omagh this week, which is being promoted as ‘helping to shape the health future of the area for years to come’. The Department of Health recently announced that the deadline for its consultation, ‘Hospitals – Creating a Network for Better Outcomes’, has […]
Fermanagh healthcare staff under ‘relentless pressure’
By Niamh McGovern AS flu cases continue to rise across Fermanagh, healthcare staff are preparing for another challenging period. At South West Acute Hospital (SWAH), staff have resumed wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) to safeguard themselves against infections as they work to manage the high volume of patients. Andy McKane, a long-time NHS worker and […]
Winter pressures mount on Fermanagh health service
By Niamh McGovern THE Western Trust continues to face severe pressures on services this winter, with ‘full escalation of beds on all wards and departments’. On Sunday, the Trust recorded 286 attendances across Altnagelvin Hospital and South West Acute Hospital (SWAH), with 86 patients waiting for a bed and 163 waiting in the Emergency Department. […]
Time border back on the agenda for Fermanagh
WHILE many of us relished the extra hour in bed last weekend, the twice annual clock change could end up becoming one of the most emotionally charged political issues of our time. Back in 2019, after years of consultations and discussions, the European Parliament voted to end daylight savings time, and thus the spring and autumn clock changes. The problem […]
Health Minister sets out plan for Public Health Bill
With much concern in Fermanagh, the minister has moved to allay some of the fears and controversies regarding the planned legislation.
Lisbellaw benefits from Covid recovery investment
THE PICTURESQUE village of Lisbellaw is looking even prettier after receiving an investment boost from a Covid recovery scheme. Funded to the tune of £122,500 from the Covid Recovery Small Settlement Regeneration Programme, locals recently celebrated the completion of the Lisbellaw Village Enhancement Project. The project was supported by Femanagh and Omagh Council (FODC), and saw improvements made throughout […]