THE POWER of the people of Fermanagh in the fight to save SWAH services is continuing to grow, with the current campaign to bring bariatric surgery to the hospital bringing the entire community together. As previously reported by the Herald, the Department of Health is currently running a consultation on the future of obesity services, which […]
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 […]
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 […]
Radical new A&E plans could lead to downgrading of hospital
THE Accident and Emergency department at the South West Acute Hospital could be in danger of being downgraded, offering less services and forcing patients to travel long distances for specialist treatments should new NHS proposals be introduced.