A LOCAL woman who has been left in agony for over a year has spoken out on how treatment delays have left her unable to walk and struggling to breathe. Sharon Cadden, from Enniskillen, has gone from being healthy and active to housebound and broken as a result of waiting for treatment. She suffers from severe osteoarthritis, […]
Belcoo doctor conquers the English Channel
Premium
A BELCOO doctor said swimming the English Channel was “one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences” of her life after she repeated a feat last achieved by a local man over 50 years ago. Dr Hannah Gillespie recently became the first woman from Fermanagh to complete the grueling solo swim across the 21-mile stretch […]
Public pressure ‘shifts momentum’ in SWAH surgery fight
CAMPAIGN group Save Our Acute Services (SOAS) has said public pressure has triggered a dramatic shift in momentum in the fight to save emergency general surgery at South West Acute Hospital (SWAH) but has warned the battle is far from over. The group reported over half a million views on its social media platforms in […]
SWAH consultation event sells out in two days
Premium
The public consultation meeting on the future of emergency general surgery (EGS) at the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH), due to take place at the Killyhevlin Hotel on Tuesday night, has sold out in just two days. The event has been organised by the Western Trust as part of the consultation on the proposed permanent […]
Fears for GP services in Fermanagh
THERE are fears for the future of many local GP practices after funding talks between the BMA (British Medical Association) and the Department of Health broke down. The BMA, which serves as a trade union for GPs, had been in contract negotiations with the Stormont government regarding the level of support provided to practices. However […]
First sod turned on new Lisnaskea Health Centre
CONSTRUCTION of the new Health and Care Centre in Lisnaskea has begun. Once operational, the new hub will support a network of 16 GPs and provide services to around 30,000 people in the Lisnaskea and surrounding East Fermanagh area. Councillor Victor Warrington stressed that the new health centre ‘is very much needed’ for the people […]
NHS pay rise proposals given tentative welcome
By Alan Rodgers STORMONT Health Minister Mike Nesbitt’s proposals on a fresh pay settlement for NHS workers have been given a guarded welcome locally. The UUP leader has offered health workers a rise in their pay which mirrors the value of increases in England. These will be implemented in two different tranches due to what Mr Nesbitt describes as ‘ongoing pressures’ […]
Lisnaskea practice shakes up patient appointment system
LISNASKEA Medical Centre has announced a positive update aimed at improving the patient experience, with changes to its appointment system starting January 6, 2025. The practice will remove its current clinical triage system in the mornings. Patients will now be able to request appointments throughout the day, though urgent appointments will still be limited. The […]
Brave mother’s emotional appeal to Fermanagh public
A BRAVE local mother has shared her family’s painful story in an emotional appeal to the Fermanagh public to stand up and fight for our local emergency services. Eileen McGovern has been a member of Save Our Acute Services (SOAS) since the campaign group was set up in response to the ‘temporary’ suspension of emergency […]
‘Long live Hospital at Home’ …a very grateful patient
A FERMANAGH patient has been singing the praises of the Hospital at Home service and the South West Acute Hospital. The Fermanagh resident fell ill at home and when their condition worsened they decided it was best to ring an ambulance. Within approximately 20 minutes the paramedic team arrived and after their initial assessment, rushed […]