CONSTRUCTION of the new Health and Care Centre in Lisnaskea has begun. Once operational, the new hub will support a network of 16 GPs and provide services to around 30,000 people in the Lisnaskea and surrounding East Fermanagh area. Councillor Victor Warrington stressed that the new health centre ‘is very much needed’ for the people […]
Organ donation discussion encouraged in Fermanagh
By Niamh McGovern CHAIR of the Western Health and Social Care Trust has encouraged people to have conversations about organ donation and clarify their intentions with loved ones and friends. This comes as the January meeting of the Western Trust board heard there is no money available to promote organ donation within the Western Trust this year. Despite the […]
MLAs focus on infrastructure, healthcare, economy in 25
THE North’s MLAs are facing scrutiny after backing a motion that will see a ten per-cent increase in the running costs of the NI Assembly, along with a pay rise for themselves. The decision, which will raise the Assembly’s operational budget from £5.7 million to £64.2 million, is set to take effect from April 2025. […]
NHS pay rise proposals given tentative welcome
By Alan Rodgers STORMONT Health Minister Mike Nesbitt’s proposals on a fresh pay settlement for NHS workers have been given a guarded welcome locally. The UUP leader has offered health workers a rise in their pay which mirrors the value of increases in England. These will be implemented in two different tranches due to what Mr Nesbitt describes as ‘ongoing pressures’ […]
MP blames Tory austerity for pay dispute
FERMANAGH health care workers have been told they “should not have to take strike action” after they were informed that any future pay deals will not match those of their counterparts in the UK. Local employees were left furious after the Northern Ireland Department for Health said they are financially unable to implement the recommended […]
Nurses consider emigrating due to recruitment freeze
DESPITE the ongoing staffing crisis in our hospitals, newly qualified nurses from the local area are being forced to emigrate or take non-medical jobs as a result of an apparent recruitment freeze in the health service. A Fermanagh mother has spoken to the ‘Herald about the worry and stress her daughter and friends are facing due to the fact […]
Health developments show ‘people power’ still strong
NOT for the first time, ‘people power’ has been helping protect and restore vital services in Fermanagh, with a local campaign group pointing to community pressure as the reason for two positive recent developments. Save Our Acute Services (SOAS) has welcomed two recent “good news stories” about health services in the county – the first being […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]