WISE WORDS…Fermanagh GAA captain Eoin Donnolly took a short time out of his work as a respiratory physio at the Ulster Hospital, Dundonald, to post a message on social media telling people not to go out in groups and to stay at home. With football on hold the big Coa man will be concentrating his […]
Jump in number of people infected in county
THERE has been a jump in the total number of people suffering from Covid-19 in the local area. The most recent figures published by the Public Health Agency revealed there are now 27 confirmed in the Fermanagh and Omagh area, a jump of 10 from the previous figure of 17. It is important to note […]
Enniskillen is to be site of new ‘Covid-19’ centre
A SPECIALIST ‘Covid centre’ is being set up in Fermanagh to help the health service manage the large numbers of virus patients who expected to need treatment here, the Herald can reveal. To help our GP surgeries and hospitals cope with the anticipated influx of ill patients, work is underway to rapidly set up the […]
Trust fails to explain huge underspend on mental health
A CASE of “post-code lottery” could be the reason why accessing mental health counselling is “nearly impossible” for people across Fermanagh. Sara Boyce from the PPR (participation and practice of rights) confirmed that only 70% of GP practices offer in-house counselling within the Western Trust area, with the percentage for Fermanagh even lower. Speaking to […]
Growing concerns over findings of stroke unit report
FEARS are growing for what an impending report may recommend for the future of stroke services at SWAH. Local stroke campaigners are currently investigating figures revealed in a response to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request placed by Herald with the Department of Health. The Herald had asked how many responses had been received from […]
Alarm over sharp rise in attacks on hospital staff
INCIDENTS of physical attacks reported by staff at the South West Acute Hospital have experienced a sharp rise. Over a twelve month period the number of reported attacks rose by almost 40 percent. Figures released following a Freedom of Information request by the Fermanagh Herald outline a total of 68 reported physical attacks on staff […]
Less than half SWAH emergency patients seen within 4hrs
THE number of patients who had to wait more than 12 hours to be seen at the SWAH Emergency Department (ED) has increased dramatically this winter. While there was also an increase in the number of people attending ED, the Western Trust has said the reason for the growing waiting times has been due […]
Health workers join forces on the picket line at SWAH
Nurses and health workers across all boards at SWAH joined forces on the picket line in a third stage of strike action over pay parity and staffing issues. Despite the Department of Health urging unions to “defer industrial action” members of the RCN and Unison branches at SWAH came together “for the sake of patient […]
Rates of pay for SWAH locum doctors are revealed
Highest rate earned by consultant at local hospital £150 per hour
Further health strikes to hit SWAH next week
FURTHER strike action has been scheduled to take place at SWAH this week after failed negotiations between health unions across the North and the Department of Health. From 10am to 2pm on Friday, all Unison members from the Western Trust at SWAH, Omagh Hospital and Altnagelvin Hospital. Patricia McKeown, Regional Secretary of Unison said, “The […]