People power is continuing across Co. Fermamagh as many gather to join the fight to save services at the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH), with further meetings and demonstrations planned in the coming weeks.
A steering group meeting of the Save our SWAH Services campaign was held on Monday evening in Enniskillen and was well attended by concerned members of the public. The meeting, chaired by Reggie Ferguson, discussed a wide range of issues.
Addressing the meeting, Mr. Ferguson said: “One of the things you cannot do is lose hope, or assume it is a done deal, and ‘What’s the point of coming out and doing this’, because if you lose hope, you don’t have anything. 
“I’m sure the people in this room and the people in Co. Fermanagh are prepared to do what they can to try and establish a healthcare system, which is largely the same or not much worse than anywhere in Northern Ireland. We are entitled to that, particularly in a rural community.”
Mr. Ferguson called for an engagement with the Western Trust in the form of a commitment from them that emergency surgery will be maintained until issues are properly addressed. 
He also called for further engagement with local politicians, adding: “We need them acting for us, we need them to know this is one of the most significant issues locally for a long time, and if they don’t come up to scratch, they should feel it in their neck at the next election.”
Some members of the public spoke at the meeting, addressing their concerns with the Western Trust’s handling of the situation, highlighting how emergency surgery at the SWAH has helped them, and raising what more can be done to protect SWAH services.
One SWAH staff member identified themselves in the course of the meeting, requesting anonymity. They spoke of how the withdrawal of services will  impact those who wish to train in the SWAH, including people from Fermanagh and Tyrone who wish to train as surgeons.
They continued: “By cutting off surgical services in the SWAH, [medical] students now who [previously trained at SWAH] and really want to come back for fifth year because they know they get such good teaching are now saying, ‘Why would we come back here if there is not going to be any services?’ We are going to lose very good doctors because they will not get the training here.”
The Western Trust has not confirmed a withdrawal of emergency services from the SWAH.
In the most recent statement to The Impartial Reporter, the Western Trust said they are developing contingency plans and are still in the process of recruiting general surgeons.
A Western Trust spokesperson said: “Subsequent to the Board meeting on October 18, the Trust has again gone out to recruit for four general surgeons. The closing date for this recruitment is November 18. 
“In the meantime, it is prudent for the Trust to develop contingency plans to ensure the safety of patients should a change in service be necessary.
“Such contingency plans involve engagement with a wide range of staff, [the] Southern Health and Social Care Trust, Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, private ambulance providers and Sligo General Hospital management.  
“In addition, we have invited in the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists to provide assurance on any wider impact.
“As part of contingency plans, we will consider all recommendations received in feedback from this.”