Royal College director pays a visit to SWAH


ELECTIVE surgery at the SWAH is continuing to grow, with the hospital being lauded as “a great example” of reform of the health service. While Fermanagh patients are continuing to have to travel two hours to Altnagelvin in urgent situations, following the Western Trust’s removal of emergency general surgery from the Enniskillen hospital, efforts are […]

ED waiting times surged in past year


WHILE waiting times from presentation to admission have increased slightly over the past year, there has been a significant increase at Altnagelvin. Figures for emergency department (ED) waiting times for December 2023 were released by the Department of Health last week. The figures showed an median wait of 14 hours, 19 minutes from presentation to treatment across […]

Calls increase to protect health scheme


THE FAMILY of a local man who recently avoided a traumatic hospital stay thanks to a pioneering local health project has called for the scheme to be protected in the long-term for the benefit of both patients and the health service. ‘Hospital at Home’ was first introduced by the Western Trust at four local care […]

Health Minister invited to discuss SWAH crisis


NEWLY re-appointed Health Minister Robin Swann is to be invited to a special meeting of the Council to discuss the “life-threatening” situation of the withdrawal of emergency general surgery at the SWAH, with the Western Trust failure to begin planning for the return of the service branded “a disgrace”. The proposal to do so came from […]

SOAS seeks meeting with NI Health Minister Robin Swann


NEWLY re-appointed Health Minister Robin Swann has been urged to commit to restoring emergency general surgery (EGS) at the SWAH. Campaign group Save Our Acute Services has already written to Minister Swann requesting an urgent meeting on the situation. The decision by the Western Trust to withdraw the EGS service at the Enniskillen hospital was announced a […]

Saving SWAH and fixing roads key for Fermanagh MLAs


SUPPORTING the South West Acute Hospital, improving infrastructure in Fermanagh and fighting for better public sector pay are the key priorities for our local politicians as they return to Stormont this week. After a two-year absence, the Northern Ireland Executive is finally back up and running and the elected representatives for Fermanagh and South Tyrone […]

Families clock up thousands of miles on road to Derry


FERMANAGH families are clocking up thousands of miles each, and are forking hundreds of pounds in the midst of a cost of living crisis, travelling to Derry with their loved ones who require treatment at Altnagelvin Hospital. For example, two local siblings told the Herald they have recently travelled well over 2,000 miles and have spent almost […]

Fermanagh patient’s fears after Altnagelvin experience


A FERMANAGH patient and family have spoken out about worrying gaps in the local health system, and their concerns for surgical patients who present to the SWAH, after his experience of having to travel to Altnagelvin for an emergency operation. Eamon McCaffrey, who is in his 80s, was speaking along with his family after recently spending almost […]