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 […]
Health workers unite in memory of Eimir
STAFF at the South West Acute Hospital recently joined forces to raise money in memory of ‘inspirational young midwife’ Eimir Martin. The Fermanagh community was left devastated in November when much-loved midwife and former Fermanagh Ladies GAA star Eimir Martin passed away following a long illness, aged 35 years old. Western Trust Maternity, Neonatal and […]
More junior doctors’ strike action in Fermanagh
FURTHER disruption to health services will be experienced in Fermanagh this week, due to the latest strike action being taken by junior doctors. This will run to 7am on Saturday. This follows two 48-hour walkouts last month from May 22-24. Patients are advised to expect widespread disruption to normal services. Health and Social Care Trust websites will […]
Increase in Fermanagh health workers’ jobs
AFTER Fermanagh health care workers were celebrated for their ‘unwavering compassion, commitment and bravery’, there’s positive signs that local hospitals could be set for a major staff boost. It’s been reported that the workforce across the Northern Ireland Health and Social Care service has increased by 13 per cent, with a 16 per cent rise […]
Junior doctors to stage more walkouts in the North
JUNIOR doctors in Northern Ireland have said they will stage further strike action after pay talks with the Department of Health broke down. It will see two 48-hour walkouts from May 22-24, followed by a similar walkout from June 6-8. Junior doctors previously went on strike for the first time on March 6. A Western Trust […]
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 […]
Fears SWAH could lose acute status
CONCERN is growing that the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH) could lose its ‘acute’ status, after it emerged the Western Trust is considering changing the name of the hospital. Recently released minutes from a meeting of the SWAH Strategic Development Group – which was set up by the Trust to oversee the future development of the Enniskillen hospital […]
Cuba could provide assistance in SWAH staffing crisis
WITH the Western Trust continuing to struggle to recruit and retain medical staff to work at the SWAH, help with the crisis may be on the way from across the Atlantic. Last week a letter from the Embassy of Cuba was delivered to the Council’s policy and resource committee, indicating the country could be ready to […]
SWAH nurses next to protest on picket lines
NURSES from the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH) in Enniskillen took part in two day-long strikes for more pay in the past week. Thousands of nurses took to the picket lines at hospitals across the North last Thursday and yesterday (Tuesday). Despite the wintery conditions, nurses of all ages and levels were out in force at the SWAH throughout the two days of protests. Independent […]
Surgery threat putting students off training at SWAH
Claims Fermanagh is now “missing out on good doctors” as students are being put off studying at the SWAH due to the threat to its services.