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Swah: Trust agrees to pause emergency general surgery consultation

Swah: Trust agrees to pause emergency general surgery consultation

BBC News17-07-2025
The Western Health Trust has agreed to "pause and reconsider" its consultation on the future of emergency general surgery at the South West Acute Hospital (Swah).Emergency general surgery was temporarily suspended at the Enniskillen hospital in December 2022, with some patients from Fermanagh and Tyrone having to travel to Londonderry, an hour and a half's drive away.On 3 July the Western Trust's board agreed to consult on the permanent removal of the service from Swah.On Wednesday, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt called on the Western Trust to pause its consultation.
In a statement on Thursday, the trust said it had agreed to do so.It added: "The trust supported by the Department of Health remains fully committed to the long term development and vision for Swah."It is important for the public to note that the temporary emergency transfer of general surgery to Altnagelvin Hospital continues to be in place. "In conclusion the board does wish to apologise for the uncertainly that has been created for the public as a result of these events and clearly our commitment is to address these issues and through a revised process of consultation and engagement."
What is emergency general surgery?
What is emergency general surgery?Emergency general surgery relates to the treatment of patients with conditions such as acute abdominal pain, infections, bleeding and trauma.It includes operations such as removing a patient's gall bladder, appendix or part of the bowel.If left unattended these conditions can become life-threatening.Most emergency general surgery operations are scheduled.According to the Western Trust, SWAH dealt with about five such cases a day and that was not enough to sustain a dedicated emergency general surgical team.
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