The hospital campaign group, Save Our Acute Services (SOAS) has welcomed the publication by the independent health regulator, the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA), of its plans for a first phase engagement as part of its wider independent review of patient pathways following the withdrawal of emergency general surgery from South West Acute Hospital (SWAH).

The group says the Review is an “ unprecedented step by the health regulator and reflects concerns that pathways put in place following the loss of surgery at SWAH are failing to meet  the health needs of patients in Fermanagh and South Tyrone.”

 In making the case for the Review, SOAS researchers have provided RQIA with a fully evidenced submission detailing almost 300 adverse experiences.

As part of its first phase of engagement in the Review, RQIA has published an email, and phone number and provided a QR code with the aim of encouraging all HSC staff, GPs and paramedics to come forward with details of their experiences of the pathways.

SOAS is encouraging all staff to come forward with their stories and experiences.

The RQIA has emphasised that any and all information will be treated in an anonymous way.

RQIA has indicated to SOAS that they also plan a second phase engagement process to seek the views and experiences of patients, their carers and family members.

Welcoming the development, SOAS spokesperson Donal O'Cofaigh, encouraged healthcare staff and professionals to come forward with their stories and any safety concerns.

He said: "RQIA has provided assurances that anyone coming forward will have their concerns treated in confidence and that staff concerns will be treated in a sensitive way and your anonymity assured. Our campaign has sought this review to highlight the impact that the loss of emergency surgery at SWAH has had.

"The voice of all healthcare workers and staff must be heard. This is our opportunity to highlight what the loss of emergency surgery means for this community and for the healthcare workers who have been left to pick up the pieces. We are confident that the collective views and experiences of all the staff will make an undeniable case for the full restoration of acute services at SWAH.

"SOAS will launch our own community mobilisation once RQIA announces the second phase of their engagement process."