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In response to the ongoing consultation by the Western Health Trust regarding emergency general surgery services at the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH), Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has requested a temporary pause. This move comes after emergency general surgery was halted at the Enniskillen hospital in December 2022, forcing patients from Fermanagh and Tyrone to seek treatment at Altnagelvin Area Hospital in Londonderry, located an hour and a half away. The Western Trust’s board had previously agreed to consult on the permanent removal of the service from SWAH on 3 July.
A spokesperson from the Department of Health emphasized that any permanent changes to emergency general surgery at SWAH would require approval from the health minister. The spokesperson acknowledged the challenges faced during the consultation process and highlighted the need for better outcomes in service provision. Mike Nesbitt has urged the trust to utilize this time to develop a clear plan outlining how SWAH will continue to meet the healthcare needs of both its current and future population.
The Patient and Client Council (PCC), representing public interests in Northern Ireland’s health and social care system, has expressed concerns about the consultation process. The PCC stated that the trust’s response to their early advice on public engagement was disappointing. Campaign group Save Our Acute Services (SOAS) previously criticized the decision to consult on removing emergency general surgery as “absolutely disgusting.” Fermanagh and South Tyrone MP Pat Cullen echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the need for the Western Trust to rebuild public confidence and develop a comprehensive plan for SWAH’s future.
The temporary suspension of emergency general surgery at SWAH in December 2022 was attributed to staffing challenges at the Enniskillen hospital, prompting concerns about public safety. The Western Trust deemed it necessary to consult on the permanent removal of the service due to an inability to meet crucial safety standards at SWAH. Campaigners highlighted the risks posed by the loss of services, the distance to alternative facilities, and inadequate transport infrastructure. Chief Executive Neil Guckian assured the public that the decision was not hasty and emphasized the importance of patient safety and clinical outcomes in the decision-making process
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