Health Committee meeting held at South West Acute Hospital, Enniskillen

The Assembly's Health Committee held their weekly meeting in the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH), Enniskillen on Thursday 27 November.

The meeting took place following a tour of the hospital's facilities, and included a presentation by the Save Our Acute Services (SOAS) campaign group. The Committee was also briefed by representatives from the Western Health and Social Care Trust (WHSCT) on current issues.

Chair of the Health Committee, Philip McGuigan MLA, said:

"The Health Committee's role is to scrutinize the work of the Department of Health and to seek solutions for challenges, so that people receive the best possible care. One of our priorities as a Committee is to ensure equal access to healthcare across the region, and we are aware of the challenges faced by people in rural communities who have to travel long distances to get the care they need.

"Today's visit highlighted the excellent work of staff at the SWAH, and the progress on tackling waiting lists by utilising theatres for elective surgery, but we also heard about some of the challenges arising from the suspension of emergency surgery services almost three years ago. These issues were articulated by the Save Our Acute Services (SOAS) group, who have long campaigned on this issue."

The Deputy Chair of the Health Committee, Danny Donnelly MLA, added: "It is clear that the impact of the suspension of emergency surgery in the SWAH has been widespread. Earlier today, we met with business owners and community representatives in the Western Trust area, including those local to Enniskillen, who expressed their concern that the downgrading of services in the hospital is impacting all sectors, and is a deterrent for people wanting to live, work or invest in the region."

In the morning, the Committee held a roundtable event with business, community and local government representatives from Enniskillen and the wider Western Trust area. Committee members also visited Cancer Focus NI's Fermanagh Cancer Support Centre and heard about the work of the centre which provides vital help and support to people who have a cancer diagnosis.

A recording of the Health Committee meeting is available here.

ENDS

For media enquiries, please contact: Maureen Heaney, Communications Office, Northern Ireland Assembly.

Email: maureen.heaney@niassembly.gov.uk

Notes to editors

• Find out more about the Health Committee here.

The South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen opened in June 2012, replacing the Erne Hospital. It is part of the Western Health and Social Care Trust.