24 hours after members of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council were left stunned having heard the Minister for Health was apparently intending to announce the withdrawal of all emergency surgical services from South West Acute Hospital (SWAH), an Ulster Unionist councillor has moved to allay concerns during the Environmental Services Committee meeting.

Despite this, some members remained sceptical and pointed to a Ministerial u-turn.

The previous night SDLP Councillor Paul Blake stated he had been made aware the Minister was coming to Enniskillen to make the announcement.

Sinn Fein’s Councillor Debbie Coyle confirmed she too was informed of this by concerned Western Health and Social Care Trust staff.

When contacted a Departmental spokesperson denied the Minister was to visit SWAH to make an announcement and while acknowledging staffing challenges for general surgery, support is ongoing for the Western Trust to find solutions and no decisions have yet been taken.

A Western Trust spokesperson said: “Emergency surgery has not been suspended at SWAH. The Trust is currently experiencing workforce challenges.”

At the Environmental Services Committee meeting, Councillor Victor Warrington, Ulster Unionist told members he had spoken to the Minister who: “Made it clear there is no visit, nor was there ever a visit planned. What was said unfortunately started an inaccurate public narrative. I can say with 100 per cent confidence, no decisions have been taken on changes at SWAH.

"I know this doesn’t suit a lot of councillors who like to raise false information on SWAH, but we have long been aware of serious staffing challenges for general surgery. We need to seek urgent clarification from the Western Trust and a progress report on efforts to attract surgeons … The Minister advised intense efforts are underway to find solutions, that may or may not mean changes.”

He warned: “Public representatives making ill-informed comments only exacerbates the problem. Staff are unlikely to be attracted if the media is reporting impending closure. Despite political rhetoric, Minister Swann and my party have done more for SWAH than any other. The Minister also intervened to prevent the closure of Dromore and Trillick GP Practice, yet now people are trying to blame him for the closure of Roslea Surgery four years ago when he wasn’t even Minister.”

Responding, Councillor Blake stood by his remarks stating: “I wasn’t attempting to scaremonger, or make false narrative or grab headlines. It’s in the public interest to know the threats hanging over SWAH or when something sinister is afoot. My information dates back months. It’s super if the Minister is attempting to backtrack, but there’s more to this than is coming out.”

SDLP colleague Councillor Adam Gannon stressed: “This wasn’t plucked out of thin air from ill-informed speculation. It’s from very reputable sources who are worried about their jobs and being persecuted for bringing this to the public. As Councillor Blake quite rightly said, this had to be brought to the public. I believe there has been a bit of a u-turn.”

He also pointed out when quoting the Minister, Councillor Warrington said: “No decision has been taken yet, which indicates there may be decisions in the future. What options is he considering because action needs taken to solve this crisis.”

Councillor Donal O’Cofaigh, CCLA also referred to an apparent u-turn adding: “I’m glad if the Minister has taken cold feet because the people of this area would have united against any move on our hospital.”

Ulster Unionist Councillor Matthew Bell queried how the Minister could have made a u-turn if a decision hadn’t been made and while concerned by what was previously disclosed, was “reassured” by Councillor Warrington’s update.

While also welcoming this, Independent Councillor Josephine Deehan insisted the matter is: “Kept on the radar … and council should seek an urgent meeting with the Western Trust.”

Final speaker Councillor Coyle also called for a meeting with the Minister to establish his proposals for SWAH, which was unanimously agreed.