SOAS submit document on withdrawal of Emergency surgery


HOSPITAL campaign group, Save Our Acute Services (SOAS) has submitted documentation amounting to 1,833 pages to the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) which details concerns highlighting patient safety and staff welfare in the South West Region following the withdrawal of emergency general surgery from South West Acute Hospital (SWAH) in Enniskillen. The documentation identifies […]

Ringfenced beds at SWAH ‘difficult to maintain’


DESPITE assurances of around two ringfenced beds for patients transferred from South West Acute Hospital (SWAH) to Altnagelvin Hospital for emergency general surgery, the Western Health and Social Care Trust has confirmed this proved “difficult to maintain” and the beds were reallocated. However, it has since been stressed the beds have been reinstated as of […]

Stroke

Last push for public to have say before stroke deadline


FERMANAGH Stroke Support Group are out and about around the county ahead of the final stroke consultation deadline.   After years of passionate local campaigning to keep the ward five open, this is the last chance for Fermanagh people to submit their views to have their say in the fight to keep the stroke unit.  Earlier […]

£27m bill for hospital locums doubled in just two years


AMID growing fears over the future of services at South West Acute Hospital, it has been revealed that the Western Trust is spending £27 million per year on locum staff, amounting to over £2 million per month.  The Western Trust is relying on the use of temporary doctors, health professionals, nurses and admin staff costing […]

Trust insists reduction in gynae services is temporary


THE Western Trust has insisted that a reduction in the number of gynaecology patients being seen at at in South West Acute Hospital is a temporary measure. Last week, in response to a request from the Herald, the Western Trust denied that there was any threat to maternity services, but one week on, the Trust […]