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 […]
‘Fermanagh community is united behind our hospital’
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 […]
Fermanagh man elected Chairman of Gael Linn Board
A FERMANAGH man, now living in Magherafelt, has been elected the new Chairperson of Gael Linn. Mr Wayne McPhilomey (MacFeilimí) was elected at Gael Linn’s recent Board meeting and succeeds Pádhraic Ó Ciardha who had completed five successful years in the role. Founded in 1953, Gael Linn is a national organisation whose principal aim is to foster […]
Workers set to take to the streets
A RALLYING cry has been made to Fermanagh’s workers to take to the streets for better pay. Mass strike action is planned for Thursday, January 18, with public sector workers across the North taking to the picket line. Nurses, teachers, civil servants and bus drivers will be just some of the workers involved in what will be the first general […]
Dancing girls in the groove in Donagh
DANCERS with the Movers and Groovers in Donagh have been raking in the titles this year. Aoife and Amy McPhillips have been dancing since 2017 under the tuition of Julie McDonald. They train weekly in the Millennium Hall Donagh with the rest of their club and dance Pro am with professional dancer Shane McKeever. To […]
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 […]
Fr Gary Donegan has surgery for blindness
FR GARY Donegan has paid tribute to the many people who have “rallied around” him after he recently underwent serious eye surgery. Originally from Newtownbutler, the Ardoyne-based cleric, pictured below, had an operation to restore the sight in his right eye after losing his vision a few weeks ago when a bleed to it caused extensive damage. To read […]