The Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) have confirmed they are looking at the possibility of withdrawing emergency surgery from the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH) citing a failure to recruit staff to the hospital.

The statement comes in the wake of recent reports in The Impartial Reporter saying a decision had already been made to withdraw emergency surgery at the SWAH.

The Trust held a special Trust Board meeting today, Monday, October 17 during which the challenging position regarding Emergency General Surgery at SWAH was considered.

The meeting also discussed plans being developed with the Department of Health to expand non-emergency planned surgery at the hospital.

Speaking after the meeting, Geraldine McKay, Director of Acute Services at the Western Trust said: "We have become increasingly concerned at the fragility of Emergency General Surgery at the SWAH. At our meeting today we updated Trust Board members of the current position and discussed a number of future planning options. The Department of Health and the Service Commissioner, the SPPG (Strategic Planning and Performance Group) are fully aware of the position and are being kept appraised of developments."

She continued: "Despite our efforts to recruit, we have not been successful to date in securing the necessary consultant workforce. In recent months the Trust has highlighted the challenges of recruiting and retaining experienced consultant surgeons to provide the service.

"This is not a question of funding but maintaining the required workforce. The Trust is funded for six consultant surgeons to provide the service and we are currently working with three surgeons supported by locums. In recent days, we have been notified of forthcoming changes in the staff team which unless restored will leave it impossible to sustain a safe emergency general surgery service at the hospital.

"It is very important to note that no decision was made at today's meeting and no recommendation from Trust Board has gone to the Department and Minister.

"While intensive recruitment efforts will continue, we also have to prepare for a future in which these do not prove successful. This planning will involve working very closely with our surgical team, our HSC colleagues and the Department to consider and develop clinical pathways for patients served by SWAH who require this service.

"No matter the outcome, however, it is important to stress that elective surgery at the hospital will continue and there would be minimal to no impact on the other existing services at SWAH."

Western Trust Chief Executive, Neil Guckian said: "The province wide Review of General Surgery, which was published by Department of Health in June, highlighted the difficulties of maintaining the workforce for emergency general surgery at sites with a lower patient turnover in terms of rotas, succession planning, skill mix, supporting services and disciplines, best practice and maintaining quality care.

"It also stressed the potential for expanding elective (planned) surgery on these smaller sites. This would result in more patients being served than ever before. The SWAH would make an excellent regional elective centre. The Trust is determined to make that vision a reality and has been working with the Department on plans for an elective overnight stay centre at SWAH.

"I am very aware that the situation with emergency surgery will be deeply concerning to patients and staff. It's not a position we want to be in but we have to plan ahead and be upfront with the public about what the planning involved. I ask everyone to work with us constructively."

In a statement also released this evening the  Health Minister Robin Swann has emphasised his commitment to the SWAH, after the Western Health and Social Care Trust detailed the fragility of emergency general surgery services at the hospital.

The Minister said: “The situation regarding emergency general surgery at SWAH will undoubtedly be a matter of serious concern in the local community.

“I would stress that no decision has been made and no recommendation has come to me from the Trust Board.  I have emphasised to the Trust that it must leave no stone unturned in its ongoing recruitment efforts. I accept it must plan for every eventuality and I expect to see a comprehensive plan. Constructive engagement is vitally important as the way forward is explored.”

The Minister continued: “Earlier this year, I published the review of general surgery, which spells out the challenges of the current configuration of these services in Northern Ireland.

“This review sets out concrete plans for safer and more sustainable provision and I believe it will help guide decision-making for SWAH. This can include an expansion of non-emergency elective surgery at the hospital.

The Health Minister added: “I remain committed to progressing the transformation of Northern Ireland’s health service. The reconfiguration design plan for our hospital network which my Department is developing will provide clarity on the way ahead.

“I have been clear that we will continue to need every square inch of capacity in each of our hospitals and that is certainly the case for SWAH.

“Developments in medicine mean some changes are inevitable. However, reorganisation should result in expanded roles for local hospitals on key fronts, enhancing their role in local communities and their contribution to the NI health service. I am determined to make sure this is achieved at SWAH.”