“UNTIL you have ill health, you won’t realise how broken the system is.” That’s the message from a Fermanagh patient who, after suffering a suspected stroke, was sent home in the middle of the night without receiving a scan or a test following an 11-hour wait to be seen in the SWAH emergency department. Two days later the patient collapsed again, requiring another […]
Vital older people’s service not available at SWAH
It is understood OPALS, which helps reduce hospital stays for older people, is not currently available across Fermanagh.
SOAS working with health bodies to restore SWAH surgery
The hard working team at Save Our Acute Services (SOAS) are still working tirelessly in the background to restore emergency surgery at the SWAH.
SWAH ‘compassion cart’ in memory of Kinawley woman
‘Philomena’s Compassion Cart’ is a specially designed tea trolly for Ward 6 at the South West Acute Hospital.
SWAH Human Milk Bank makes fresh appeal for more donors
HAVING helped hundreds more babies across Ireland over the last year, the SWAH-based Human Milk Bank has issued a fresh appeal for donor mums to help it continue it’s life-saving work, with current demand “exceptionally high.” The only one of its kind on the island of Ireland, the team at the Western Trust run facility, which provides […]
Fermanagh outraged at ‘cultural issue’ comment
FERMANAGH patients are more than willing to travel for elective treatment, they are simply requesting equal access to timely treatment when it comes to emergency care. That’s the message from Save Our Acute Services (SOAS) following local anger at comments made in a report to the Department of Health which stated there was “a cultural issue” […]
Pauline projects positivity to all women around her
FERMANAGH woman Pauline Corrigan has had many ups and downs in her life but still projects positivity to all women around her. Pauline headed a business called Beenificial for 12 years before closing due to Brexit. The mum of three took this as an opportunity to start another business, and now runs a Shepherds Hut Airbnb on […]
Concerns over Altnagelvin Hospital capacity
THERE are concerns Altnagelvin Hospital is struggling to cope with the influx of Fermanagh patients being sent up from the SWAH for emergency general surgery (EGS). There are no current official figures for how many local patients are being sent to the SWAH, as Fermanagh patients are deemed new ‘walk ins’ at the Derry hospital rather than […]
Shelley takes on Stairway to Heaven with a little help
FROM learning to stand to learning to walk to now taking on a mountain. Michelle Cowan, known as Shelley, has been unwell for 26 years but has decided to take on the huge task of climbling Cuilcagh mountain, all in aid of her group JustUs. Speaking about her challenge, Shelley explains why JustUs is such a worthy cause. “I have […]
Making sure every voice is counted
FOLLOWING the deep disappointment when over 30,000 Fermanagh voices were recorded as one consultation response by the Western Trust, Save Our Acute Services (SOAS) was determined to make sure every voice is counted this time around. Early last year SOAS embarked on a passionate campaign to engage the people of Fermanagh with the Trust’s consultation on the removal of […]