SWAH crisis ‘dangerous’, campaigners warn
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“This is not sustainable. It is dangerous.” That was the stark warning delivered by Save Our Acute Services (SOAS) secretary Helen Hamill as Stormont’s health committee met in the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH) on Thursday to hear directly from campaigners and senior Western Trust officials. Ms Hamill reminded committee members that, despite repeated appeals, […]


“SWAH crisis ‘dangerous’ and getting worse” said SOAS
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“This is not sustainable. It is dangerous.” That was the stark warning delivered by Save Our Acute Services (SOAS) secretary Helen Hamill as Stormont’s health committee met in the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH) on Thursday to hear directly from campaigners and senior Western Trust officials. Ms Hamill reminded committee members that, despite repeated appeals, […]


Sinn Féin leader urges all-island health integration
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Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald has said she believes integrating a united health service across north and south could elevate the currently struggling systems on both sides of the border. Speaking to the ‘Herald ahead of last week’s rural health event at the Westville Hotel in Enniskillen, Ms McDonald emphasised part of this vision would include the […]


‘Inevitable’ emergency surgery will not return to SWAH
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STANDARDS set out by the Department of Health are preventing the return of emergency general surgery (EGS) to the SWAH, the Stormont Health Committee has heard. In 2022, in the months before the ‘temporary’ removal of EGS from the Enniskillen hospital, the Department of Health launched the Review of General Surgery in Northern Ireland. This set […]


SOAS and Trust meet with Health Committee at SWAH
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REPRESENTATIVES of Save Our Acute Services met with the Assembly Health Committee in the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH) earlier this afternoon. The campaign seeks the restoration of emergency surgery to the hospital following its ‘temporary’ withdrawal by the Western Health and Social Care Trust management in December 2022. Campaign representatives challenged the Western Trust […]


Anger as care workers excluded from pay rise


LOCAL politicians and union leaders have voiced their disappointment after the Health Minister confirmed that social care workers will not receive a real living wage uplift, despite pay parity being extended to doctors, nurses and auxiliary staff. Mike Nesbitt said last week that health service employees will be brought into line with colleagues across the […]


Mary Lou says planning for a united Ireland must begin


A public discussion on rural health and care took place last night at 7pm in the Westville Hotel, as part of Sinn Féin’s ongoing Commission on the Future of Ireland. Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald addressed the meeting, emphasising the need for immediate preparation, stating: “The planning for a united Ireland must happen now.” […]


Mary Lou acknowledges Fermanagh’s healthcare fears
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A PUBLC discussion on rural health and care took place last night at 7pm in the Westville Hotel, as part of Sinn Féin’s ongoing ‘Commission on the Future of Ireland’. It was the third health-focused event held this year, with guest speakers including Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald, alongside an independent panel featuring Fr […]


Volunteers on a mission to raise diabetes awareness
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ON FRIDAY, World Diabetes Day highlighted the challenges faced by people living with the condition, from spotting early symptoms to managing daily life. Local volunteers Dinah Shortt and Anne Harland, both mothers of sons diagnosed with diabetes, said they were inspired to give back to the community by sharing their time and experiences. Dinah Shortt […]