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 […]
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 […]
Calm before the storm as health trust prepares for loom
All routine appointments and out patients procedures currently on hold as the Trust frantically plans for what is to come.
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 […]
Missed appointments costing Trust £1.5m
MISSED patient appointments cost the Western Trust £1.5 million last year. In 2019 over 9000 people did not attend their appointments. The missed appointments have resulted in a significant loss to the budget over the period. Now, the Trust has asked for greater co-operation in a bid to reduce non-attendance so “valuable resources and staff […]
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 […]
Rates of pay for SWAH locum doctors are revealed
Highest rate earned by consultant at local hospital £150 per hour
Retention of doctors major problem for local hospital
Location of SWAH big issue for recruiting health professionals
Trust accused of trying to cut Meals on Wheels
The Trust claims demand for the service is down, however this has been disputed locally.