“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 […]
Fermanagh influencer backs hospital campaign
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LOCAL influencer Danielle Collins has added her voice to the growing campaign to protect hospital services in Fermanagh, warning that current travel times to Altnagelvin are ‘unacceptable’ for rural patients. Speaking in a recent Save Our Acute Services (SOAS) video, Ms Collins highlighted the reality facing local residents, who must undertake a two-hour journey for emergency surgical care. “I […]
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 […]
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 […]
SOAS and Trust to livestream meeting on SWAH’s future
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THE Save Our Acute Services (SOAS) group has confirmed it will meet with the Western Trust (WHSCT) on November 21, with the meeting set to be live-streamed for public viewing. The discussions will focus on developing a ‘Vision Plan’ for the future of the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH), following a call from the Health Minister for […]
Concern over ambulance response times in Fermanagh
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SOAS calls on Western Trust to ‘reinstate surgical consultants instead of overburdening already stretched ambulance services.’
Concern about ambulance response times in Fermanagh
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The latest figures suggest the removal of emergency general surgery from the SWAH is putting added pressure on the ambulance service.
Trust announces closure of SWAH consultation
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THE Western Trust has announced it is closing the public consultation on the permanent removal of emergency general surgery (EGS) at the SWAH and will now move forward on visioning work for ‘Future Health and Care Services in Fermanagh and West Tyrone’. In July 2025, the Health Minister asked the Trust to end the current consultation and begin the process […]