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 […]

SWAH ‘consolation prize’ blasted as ‘disgraceful’


THE new elective surgery unit for overnight patients at the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH) has been blasted as a “disgraceful consolation prize”. Announced by the Western Trust, the new unit has its first patients this week in a move to help the Health Service in the North reduce waiting lists for surgical procedures. However, […]

Review is hampering efforts to save SWAH surgery


DESPITE previously denying they played a direct role in the collapse of SWAH emergency general surgery, the Western Trust has now confirmed the Department’s of Health’s new surgery standards are making it extremely difficult to save and sustain the life-saving service in Enniskillen. As reported by the Herald back in November, the Review of General […]

Concern over doctors leaving SWAH


THERE is concern over reports doctors are leaving the South West Acute Hospital as a result of the ongoing issues over emergency general surgery, including working practices at the hospital. Local campaign group Save Our Acute Services (SOAS) has told the Herald it is aware of several consultants who have left the hospital since the threat to […]

SWAH rally told ‘this is just the beginning’


THE FIGHT to save emergency surgery at the South West Acute Hospital is only just beginning, with the community urged to continue to “build a movement” that will help sustain and save our local acute services. Around 2,000 people turned out for the major rally at the Lakeland Forum last Friday night, organised by Save […]

WATCH: Thousands gather at the Forum for SWAH meeting


HUNDREDS of people turned out to the Lakeland Forum this evening [Friday] to show their support in the bid to save the SWAH services in Enniskillen. The demonstration was aimed at showing the Western Trust that the people of Fermanagh would not accept the withdrawal of live-saving emergency surgery from the South West Acute Hospital. […]