CAMPAIGNING mother and son, Lee Martin and Caroline Wheeler from Enniskillen, have decided to withdraw their legal challenge with the Department of Health as they don’t want to “damage public confidence” in the Covid booster vaccination programme, they said. Their decision to withdraw their judicial review into the delay in Lee receiving his Covid jab […]
‘Relief’ for the hospitality sector following easing of restrictions
THE news that Covid-19 restrictions are set to be relaxed has been warmly welcomed by the hospitality sector and business owners throughout Fermanagh. Last Thursday, the Northern Ireland Executive announced an easing of restrictions which includes an end to table service, no limit in the number of people allowed to sit in restaurants, pubs and […]
‘They have been pathetic’
A LOCAL teacher has hit out at the Department of Education, claiming it is letting pupils down by not taking urgent action to tackle an impending exams crisis. With Covid continuing to challenge schools, the education system is currently facing the same staff crisis as the health service. Teachers fear this is impacting pupils’ learning not just […]
Covid restrictions to relax from tomorrow
THE Executive has today agreed an approach for relaxing the measures put in place to manage the Covid-19 Omicron variant. The Executive has agreed the following steps: From 21 January at 12 noon: In hospitality settings – the requirement to be seated whilst consuming food and/or drink and for table service in premises that provide […]
Council backs inquiry call into Covid handling in care homes
THE Council has backed by a majority vote a call by the Commissioner for Older People Eddie Lynch for a public inquiry into the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic in Northern Ireland care homes. He said it was time for answers and called on the Stormont Executive to instigate a public inquiry into why care home […]
Omicron fails to put dampener on couple’s big day
“Take everything in your stride, and at the end of the day remember the reason you’re getting married in the first place.”
Schools continue to face significant disruption
SCHOOLS across Fermanagh have continued to face significant disruption due to the serious impact that the recent Omicron Variant has had. Concerns first arose when schools reopened just last week while local infections rates continued to surge. Since then, the return to school has been described as somewhat difficult due to a large number of […]
‘We don’t think we’ll be finished with vaccines for foreseeable future’
THE WESTERN Trust is preparing to “mainstream” its Covid vaccine service, with expectations high in the local health services that further booster jabs will be needed to tackle the virus. That was the message from the January meeting of the Trust’s board, where director of HR Karen Hargen gave an update on the current phase […]
Omicron-related staff absence is predicted to create havoc across NHS
OMICRON-related staff absence could impact the Fermanagh’s health and social care system over the coming weeks according to medical directors. The startling impact of the Omicron variant seen Fermanagh Covid cases jump significantly this week. In the seven days between December 10 to 16, positive cases in the Fermanagh and Omagh area were at 744, […]
‘Don’t delay any further, get Covid booster now’ urges health expert
“Don’t wait any longer for your booster,” the head of Northern Ireland’s vaccination programme has urged. Patricia Donnelly said people can get their all-important booster doses at a number of vaccination clinics running this week. She also emphasised that vaccine first doses for everyone aged 12 and over continue to be available at Health Trust […]