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 […]
Armstrong calls for improved dog breeding welfare
DIANA Armstrong MLA met with representatives from Dogs Trust at an event hosted by the charity in Stormont recently, with the aim of improving welfare for dogs and their owners. The charity held the event in Parliament Buildings to raise awareness of the need for responsible dog breeding and rehoming, and how current legislation could […]
Organ donation discussion encouraged in Fermanagh
By Niamh McGovern CHAIR of the Western Health and Social Care Trust has encouraged people to have conversations about organ donation and clarify their intentions with loved ones and friends. This comes as the January meeting of the Western Trust board heard there is no money available to promote organ donation within the Western Trust this year. Despite the […]
Trust apologises to patients ‘waiting too long’ for bed
By Niamh McGovern THE Western Health Trust has issued an apology to patients waiting for hospital beds, as acute hospitals across the North struggle with severe winter pressures. Speaking at the Trust’s monthly board meeting on Thursday, chief executive Neil Guckian acknowledged the ongoing challenges, noting that while there had been slight improvements over the […]
Trust says ICU at SWAH won’t be downgraded
THE Western Health and Social Care Trust has said there’s “no plans whatsoever” to downgrade the ICU department at the South West Acute Hospital after rumours circulated over its future. There had been speculation locally that the future of the intensive care unit at the SWAH was in doubt, after months of campaigning in a bid […]
Fermanagh family makes special trip to Paris
A FERMANAGH family have embarked on a trip of a lifetime thanks to NI Children to Lapland and Days to Remember Trust (NICLT). A group of 44 people, including local health professionals, parents, and 20 brave children with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions, embarked on a magical trip to Disneyland Paris recently. This special journey, which resumed […]
Fermanagh volunteers win prestigious national award
FERMANAGH locals Lizzie Hogg and Thomas Maguire have won the prestigious Marsh Trust Award for Museum Learning, in partnership with the British Museum. The pair, who have both been volunteering at Castle Coole for almost 15 years were honoured at a ceremony in London last Monday. The Marsh Awards celebrate outstanding volunteers in museums and […]
Plans in place to support elderly Fermanagh residents
ELDERLY Fermanagh residents are going to be given the opportunity to “socialise and create connections” next month as part of a community-wide programme. The National Institutes of Health recently revealed that the Covid-19 pandemic caused an increase in loneliness among elderly residents, with a direct correlation to cognitive decline in older adults. Fermanagh and Omagh […]
Ederney group gets £296k in funding
POPULAR community hub, Murphy’s on Main Street in Ederney, has been awarded more than £296k in National Lottery funding to support its activities over the next three years. The Ederney Community Development Trust will use the money to run new programmes and events there creating more opportunities for local people to meet and look after their health […]
Fermanagh Parkinson’s patient left to suffer alone
A LOCAL pensioner has revealed the heartbreaking impact staff shortages and service cuts are having on older patients here in Fermanagh. The Western Trust has apologised this week, via the Herald, to local patients after it emerged the Parkinson’s Clinics at the SWAH were currently not operating. Stating this was due to capacity exceeding demand, coupled […]