SWAH ‘surplus capacity’ used for hip operations


PATIENTS are traveling from across the North to the SWAH for long-awaited hip replacements, as part of an arrangement to make use of the “surplus theatre capacity” at the Enniskillen hospital. It had been rumoured in the local area recently that an unused ward at SWAH had been taken over by a private health provider. […]

Festive babies arrive at SWAH


THIS festive season brought the most precious gift of all to a number of Fermanagh families welcomed new arrivals into the world over recent days. On Christmas Day, staff at the South West Acute Hospital welcomed baby boy Melarkey who was born at 4:35am weighing 6lbs 14z. He was delivered by Practice Development Midwife, Aoibhean […]

Delays as pressures mount at the SWAH


THERE have been calls for “immediate intervention” to help the local health service cope with the perfect storm of delayed discharges and staff shortages that is leading to a clogged up system at the SWAH. While Covid-19 is continuing to challenge our health service, particularly regarding the staff shortages in some areas, it appears pressure from the long predicted […]

Number of Covid patients at SWAH drops


WHILE the number of Covid patients at SWAH has fallen dramatically in recent times, the numbers attending the hospital’s Emergency Department (ED) with serious illnesses has increased. Assistant director of emergency care at the Western Trust, Mark Gillespie, has said while the hospital remains “challenged daily”, with the severity of patients presenting to the SWAH […]

Concern over reduction of occupied beds


THERE is growing concern over the reduction of occupied beds at the SWAH, particularly in surgical and maternity services. Figures seen by the ‘Herald have revealed the number of occupied beds at the Enniskillen hospital fell from 70,424 in 2018 to 60,802 in 2020. While Covid restrictions may understandably account for some of that reduction, a breakdown […]