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18/11/2022
SWAH Suspends Emergency General Surgery
The Department of Health (DoH) has said that it is "satisfied" by the decision of South West Acute Hospital (SWAH) to temporarily withdraw emergency general surgery due to a lack of consultant general surgeons.
The DoH said that while it fully recognises the importance of SWAH to the people of Fermanagh and Tyrone the first duty of any health system is to provide safe care and that on the grounds of public safety it supported the hospital's decision.
The DoH said: "The mitigations put in place by the Trust will be closely monitored by the Department, including the transport arrangements for patients requiring treatment in other hospitals.
"The future for emergency general surgery at South West Acute Hospital will now be the subject of a public consultation. Any permanent decision to cease emergency general surgery will require approval from the Department and Health Minister.
"The Department can reassure the local population on South West Acute Hospital's future. It is a vital part of our hospital network and will very much remain so.
"We can confirm that the Department is working with the Trust to make the hospital Northern Ireland's third Elective Overnight Stay Centre, following earlier announcements on the Mater Hospital in Belfast and Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry.
"This will help the local population to receive better and quicker planned surgical care, and also help the whole region. It is expected to increase the number of operations and patients at South West Acute Hospital."
The DoH said that while it fully recognises the importance of SWAH to the people of Fermanagh and Tyrone the first duty of any health system is to provide safe care and that on the grounds of public safety it supported the hospital's decision.
The DoH said: "The mitigations put in place by the Trust will be closely monitored by the Department, including the transport arrangements for patients requiring treatment in other hospitals.
"The future for emergency general surgery at South West Acute Hospital will now be the subject of a public consultation. Any permanent decision to cease emergency general surgery will require approval from the Department and Health Minister.
"The Department can reassure the local population on South West Acute Hospital's future. It is a vital part of our hospital network and will very much remain so.
"We can confirm that the Department is working with the Trust to make the hospital Northern Ireland's third Elective Overnight Stay Centre, following earlier announcements on the Mater Hospital in Belfast and Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry.
"This will help the local population to receive better and quicker planned surgical care, and also help the whole region. It is expected to increase the number of operations and patients at South West Acute Hospital."
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Apart from a little patchy drizzle it will be a dry evening and night with variable amounts of cloud. A few mist and fog patches forming. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
