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 […]
Bonnie born at SWAH on Boxing Day
THE parents of a local Boxing Day baby have said they are ‘just so happy’ to have brought their little girl into the world at the most wonderful time of year. For the majority of us, the festive season is a period more magical than most. However, when one young couple living in Kilskeery look back […]
Trust urged to listen to heartbreaking stories
A YOUNG autistic boy from Clogher was left lying on the road for over an hour in a storm after being knocked down, a meeting on the future of services at South West Acute Hospital (SWAH) has heard. The family of Jayden Dempsey (11) believe the reason he suffered in cold and in pain for […]
‘We are fed up’ – People have their say
THE PEOPLE of Fermanagh had their chance to let our local politicians know how the removal of emergency general surgery from the SWAH is impacting the community last Thursday night, and the picture they painted was grim. From injured elderly people and autistic children being left to lie in storms and freezing temperatures as the ambulance […]
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, […]