Ill mother struggling to cope with lack of support


A FERMANAGH mother has said she is struggling to cope with caring for her adult son with learning disabilities, without any support, while also having to travel to Derry for treatment for her own health conditions. The local woman and her partner recently had to fork out £400 to travel to Altnagelvin in the middle […]


This is your ‘last best chance’ to save SWAH services


LOCAL patients and health staff have been told to “speak now or forever hold your peace” on the future of the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH) emergency surgery. A large crowd gathered at Fermanagh House on Thursday night for a meeting, organised by Save Our Acute Services (SOAS) to explain to people how to contribute to […]


Fermanagh Parkinson’s patient left to suffer alone


A LOCAL pensioner has revealed the heartbreaking impact staff shortages and service cuts are having on older patients here in Fermanagh. The Western Trust has apologised this week, via the Herald, to local patients after it emerged the Parkinson’s Clinics at the SWAH were currently not operating. Stating this was due to capacity exceeding demand, coupled […]


Staff urged to take opportunity to stand up for SWAH


LOCAL healthcare workers and hospital staff are being urged to do their “duty towards their patients” by taking part in the ongoing investigation into the impacts of the removal of emergency general surgery (EGS) from the SWAH. As previously reported by the ‘Herald, the independent Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) is currently carrying out a review […]


Fermanagh doctors featured in WWII Roll of Honour


FERMANAGH doctors who served in World War II, including a pioneering Enniskillen man who transformed breakfast tables across the globe, have been commemorated in a new book. Dr Denis Burkitt, of Laragh, Ballinamallard, is among the doctors celebrated in ‘Irish Doctors in the Second World War’ by Patrick J Casey, Kevin T Cullen and Joe P Duigan. The book contains […]


Western Trust success at NI Nurse of the Year Awards


Western Health and Social Care Trust celebrated incredible success at the RCN NI Awards 2024. Several local nurses won awards at the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Northern Ireland Nurse of the Year Awards 2024 held at the Culloden Hotel, Holywood recently. Melaine Stronge, from Clabby, Fivemiletown jointly won the Health Care Support Worker Award. Melaine […]


Fermanagh doctor relishing career in medicine


A FERMANAGH doctor has said she “never gave up on my dream” after she recently graduated and is preparing to begin her career in medicine in the NHS. Ciara McCaffrey, a former pupil at St Aidan’s High School and Mount Lourdes Grammar School, graduated as a doctor from Queen’s University after five years. She’s now […]


Call for urgent meeting on GP crisis


THE LOCAL Council is to seek a special meeting with the Department of Health’s Strategic Planning and Performance Group (SPPG) in relation to the growing crisis in unfilled GP rotas in the local area. The councillors made the call after it emerged that the Dromore, Trillick and Fintona areas had no GP cover on Friday May 3, […]


Lisnaskea patients have increased seven fold


THE NUMBER of patients on the books at the Lisnaskea GP surgery has increased seven fold in the past decade, new figures have shown. According to the data released last week by the Department of Health’s Business Services Organisation (BSO), the number of patients registered with a GP at Maple Group Practice in the town has jumped from just […]


Fermanagh’s Dr Treacy’s methods are ‘used worldwide’


GARRISON doctor Patrick Treacy has been hit the international headlines once again. Dr Patrick Treacy, who rose to fame after he formed a close relationship with pop music icon Michael Jackson, has been lauded by the Los Angeles Times for his role and progression in aesthetics. Recently, he received ‘global recognition’ for his ingenious use […]