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 […]

‘Dramatic deterioration’ in ambulance handovers


THERE has been a significant increase in the length of ambulance handover waiting times across the North over the past four years, and patients are potentially coming to “severe harm” as a result. That is the conclusion of the Auditor General, Dorinna Carville, who published a major report yesterday (Tuesday) on ambulance handover times, which […]

SOAS presents SWAH roadmap to the Department of Health


VOLUNTEERS from campaign group Save Our Acute Services (SOAS) travelled to Belfast again this week, this time to make the case for its plan to save SWAH services directly to the Department of Health. Back in January SOAS launched a comprehensive ‘roadmap’ plan on how to restore and protect services at the Enniskillen hospital, not least emergency general surgery […]

Western Trust apologises to Fermanagh patient


THE Western Trust has apologised to a Fermanagh patient over medication recording errors that happened as a result of their transfer from the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH) to Altnagelvin for emergency surgery. The incident has once again raised questions as to how the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) could state it had encountered “no immediate patient safety issues” regarding the […]

Fermanagh comes out in force to have say on SWAH


Fermanagh have come out in force to have their say on SWAH with 28,494 people signing the Consultation Hospital Network forms. Members from SOAS travelled to Belfast on Thursday (27 February 2025) to deliver the responses to the Department of Health. SOAS has gathered many thousands of signatures at various events and locations across the […]

Last push by SOAS to help Fermanagh have its say


THE officials at the Department of Health will be left in no uncertain terms how the people of Fermanagh feel about their plan to downgrade the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH) when they receive the response to their latest public consultation. Over the past few months, since launching its roadmap outlining how to restore emergency […]

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 […]

Welcome for introduction of ENT surgery at SWAH


LOCAL families have warmly welcomed the introduction of ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgery at the SWAH. Last week the Western Trust announced ENT day procedure surgery had begun at the Enniskillen hospital. The first six patients had their procedures locally last Tuesday. These procedures will now happen regularly, with consultant ENT surgeon Mr Reddy […]