THERE are fears for the future of many local GP practices after funding talks between the BMA (British Medical Association) and the Department of Health broke down. The BMA, which serves as a trade union for GPs, had been in contract negotiations with the Stormont government regarding the level of support provided to practices. However […]
Fermanagh health campaigners to host public meeting
SAVE Our Acute Services (SOAS) is organising a public meeting on the future of SWAH services and the removal of emergency general surgery at the hospital. SOAS has invited representatives from all five main political parties in the area, and the public will have the chance to ask questions on the night. The meeting takes place […]
Fermanagh health campaigners question hospital figures
THE WESTERN Trust has insisted figures it provided to the health regulator for its review on the removal emergency general surgery (EGS) from the SWAH were accurate. Fermanagh campaigners fighting to restore the service had questioned the figures on bed capacity provided by the Trust to the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) for a review into […]
Health regulator pays tribute to Fermanagh campaigners
THE HEALTH regulator has spoken out in praise for the work of Fermanagh campaigners, Save Our Acute Services (SOAS). Speaking at a recent meeting of the Stormont Health Committee, chief executive of Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) Briege Donaghy, said she was in regular contact with SOAS members. Ms Donaghy had been asked about the disappointment felt […]
SOAS meetings continue around Fermanagh
FURTHER events have been taking place this week as local campaigners continue to garner support for the plan to save services at the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH). At the start of the year Save Our Acute Services (SOAS) launched a ‘roadmap’ plan, outlining in practical ways how services can be restored and retained at the […]
‘There is going to be a lot of people dying’
DURING the recent public meeting of ‘Save Our Acute Services’, Fr Brian D’Arcy read out an emotional letter from a patient who was too ill to be there on the night. “I had half my bowl removed three years ago in SWAH, it saved my life, I was in theatre for eight hours and in […]
Campaigners urge locals to attend meeting on SWAH
HEALTH campaigners are encouraging residents to attend a Department of Health meeting in Omagh this week, which is being promoted as ‘helping to shape the health future of the area for years to come’. The Department of Health recently announced that the deadline for its consultation, ‘Hospitals – Creating a Network for Better Outcomes’, has […]
Concerns raised over new SWAH sub-group formation
ALLIANCE councillor Eddie Roofe has voiced concerns that the creation of a new subgroup within the Strategic Development Group (SDG) for South West Acute Hospital (SWAH) could be an attempt to sideline the Fermanahg & Omagh District Council from discussions. The SDG, established in 2023 following the suspension of emergency general surgery at SWAH, includes […]
Winter pressures mount on Fermanagh health service
By Niamh McGovern THE Western Trust continues to face severe pressures on services this winter, with ‘full escalation of beds on all wards and departments’. On Sunday, the Trust recorded 286 attendances across Altnagelvin Hospital and South West Acute Hospital (SWAH), with 86 patients waiting for a bed and 163 waiting in the Emergency Department. […]
Fermanagh youngster brings Christmas cheer to SWAH
A BELLANALECK schoolgirl has been praised for her ‘thoughtfulness and kindness’ after she truly embraced the season of goodwill by raising money to help children in hospital this Christmas. Macy Connors recently put her creative talents to the test by creating some handmade bracelets, before selling them at a local craft fair. She raised over £200 […]