Despite the Chief Executive of the Western Trust, Neil Guckian, stating that the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH) would make an excellent regional elective centre, it seems there have been problems around elective surgeries going ahead at the hospital in recent weeks.
The Western Trust was asked to confirm how many elective surgeries were completed in the SWAH in the past two weeks as well as any upcoming elective surgeri,es and if there were any cancellations of elective surgery at the SWAH due to staffing issues.
They failed to provide how many elective surgeries were carried out within the last two weeks or how many were due to take place in the coming weeks.
A spokesperson for the Western trust did say: “There has been a downturn in elective surgery in the SWAH due to theatre workforce challenges, including sickness/absence.
“We have not cancelled elective sessions, as they have not been scheduled, to ensure the emergency theatre takes priority.”
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