Lack of nursing home spaces blamed for hospital crisis


By Niamh McGovern A SEVERE shortage of nursing home spaces has been identified as the leading cause of delayed patient discharges in Northern Ireland, compounding pressure on already overwhelmed emergency departments. The Western Health Trust’s chief executive, Neil Guckian, addressed the issue during a board meeting on Thursday, revealing that over 500 patients across the […]

Fermanagh RNLI branch aids stricken vessel


A TRAINING session turned into real experience for the crew of Carrybridge RNLI at the weekend, who spotted a boat in difficulty while out doing exercises on the lough. At around 10.40am on Sunday morning, August 18, the volunteer crew were on the inshore lifeboat, the Douglas, Euan and Kay Richards, and were travelling in the direction […]

Number of Covid patients at SWAH drops


WHILE the number of Covid patients at SWAH has fallen dramatically in recent times, the numbers attending the hospital’s Emergency Department (ED) with serious illnesses has increased. Assistant director of emergency care at the Western Trust, Mark Gillespie, has said while the hospital remains “challenged daily”, with the severity of patients presenting to the SWAH […]

SWAH

Less than half SWAH emergency patients seen within 4hrs


THE number of patients who had to wait more than 12 hours to be seen at the SWAH Emergency Department (ED) has increased dramatically this winter.   While there was also an increase in the number of people attending ED, the Western Trust has said the reason for the growing waiting times has been due […]

Emergency

Patients facing lengthy delays in SWAH emergency


Patients were faced with lengthy waiting times and delays in admission as pressure mounted at the Emergency Department at the South West Acute Hospital over the weekend. It is believed that approximately 18 patients had been waiting on trolleys overnight on Monday 11 February. The Herald had asked the Trust to confirm how many patients […]