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 priest Fr Gary Donegan awaiting third surgery


JUST hours after he underwent surgery on his eye, Fr Gary Donegan has confirmed that he’s going to have to go under the knife again later this month. Since December, the Fermanagh cleric has been undergoing treatment on his right eye, in a bid to save and secure his sight. The Newtownbutler priest underwent surgery […]


SOAS seeks meeting with NI Health Minister Robin Swann


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 […]


Fr Gary Donegan set to undergo second surgery today


FERMANAGH cleric Fr Gary Donegan is set to undergo surgery today (Wednesday) after he suffered ‘another bleed’ in his eye. In December, the Newtownbutler priest revealed that he had to have 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. […]


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 […]