ALLIANCE councillor Eddie Roofe has voiced concerns that the creation of a new subgroup within the Strategic Development Group (SDG) for South West Acute Hospital (SWAH) could be an attempt to sideline the Fermanahg & Omagh District Council from discussions. The SDG, established in 2023 following the suspension of emergency general surgery at SWAH, includes […]
Big day of celebration as Fermanagh students graduate
Students have celebrated their graduation from a local college. South West College celebrated the achievements of its higher education students during the annual graduation ceremonies held at the Strule Arts Centre, Omagh. Family, friends, and staff gathered to honour the dedication and accomplishments of the ‘Class of 2024’. With over 600 attendees, the event featured […]
Hotel plans for Enniskillen SWC college site revealed
THE same week that one iconic building in Enniskillen was going up in smoke, plans for redeveloping another one were being unveiled. While firefighters were still putting out the blaze at the historic Railway Hotel, across the street at the former South West College site at Gaol Square, a public consultation was showing residents what was planned for […]
Trainee doctors join Fermanagh SWAH team
THE SOUTH West Acute Hospital has last week welcomed a new cohort of trainee doctors, some of whom have travelled from overseas to work at the Enniskillen hospital. The SWAH group is part of an overall intake of 270 doctors across the Western Trust, with the junior doctors joining medical and surgical teams across the wider area, […]
This is your ‘last best chance’ to save SWAH services
LOCAL patients and health staff have been told to “speak now or forever hold your peace” on the future of the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH) emergency surgery. A large crowd gathered at Fermanagh House on Thursday night for a meeting, organised by Save Our Acute Services (SOAS) to explain to people how to contribute to […]
High risk of no GP cover in Fermanagh
AS the GP crisis persists across the local area, patients at a number of rural practices can expect further disruption in the weeks ahead. Over recent years the Western Trust has taken over a number of local practices after the GPs handed back their contracts, including in Brookeborough and Tempo, and Trillick and Dromore. The […]
Life on hold for Fermanagh patient in pain ‘24/7’
A FERMANAGH woman who has been suffering in constant pain without treatment for almost two years has spoken of how she has been left unable to live her life. Caroline Diver from Enniskillen is one of many local patients left in the lurch by the reduction in local osteoporosis services. More than a year-and-a-half after first being diagnosed with the […]
Top award for Fermanagh lecturer Jimmy Martin
A LONG-SERVING lecturer at the South West College has been praised for his ‘commendable’ commitment and dedication to the local construction industry. Jimmy Martin, a hugely respected Carpentry and Joinery lecturer at the South West College, picked up the prestigious Hugh Gettinby Best Trainer/Lecturer Award at the SkillBuild NI Regional Competition. John Moss, Head of Department […]
Fighting for rights was ‘my life’, says Benny Cassidy
AFTER almost 40 years of campaigning for better rights for healthcare staff and patrolling the corridors of Enniskillen’s hospitals, Benny Cassidy has parked up his wheelchair for the final time. Since 1985, the much-loved Enniskillen man has been a constant at Fermanagh’s hospitals, first at the Old County Hospital, then at the Erne Hospital, and most […]
Fermanagh doctor makes history
AN ENNISKILLEN doctor has made history at the South West Acute Hospital for her use of modern technology which is helping provide ‘first-class medical education’ to young students. A Foundation Year 1 doctor at the South West Acute Hospital, Dr Grace Kettyle, recently teamed up with other doctors from Canada and around Europe. They were […]