RECENTLY recruited consultant general surgeons will work across all Western Trust sites including the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH), the Health Minister has confirmed. 

According to Minister Mike Nesbitt, the Western Trust is moving towards recruiting 11 whole-time equivalent general surgeons, and the consultant surgeons that have been recruited, to date, have been appointed to "Trust-wide contracts".

The six consultants recruited so far will undertake sessions in the Elective Overnight Stay Centre in the SWAH, in Omagh Hospital and Primary Care Complex theatres, and in Altnagelvin Hospital, Minister Nesbitt confirmed. 

The information was provided in response to Sinn Féin MLA Áine Murphy, who asked the Minister if the six recruited consultant surgeons will be "deployed as part of plans to reinstate Emergency General Surgery (EGS) at the SWAH".

In his response, Minister Nesbitt touched on the suspension of EGS in Fermanagh, saying: "In November 2022, the Western Trust made the decision to suspend EGS in the SWAH for patient safety reasons.

"This was due to consultant workforce pressures and inability to sustain the EGS rota.  

"In line with Change and Withdrawal of Services Guidance, the Western Trust is considering the future position of EGS across the Trust."

He continued: "The Western Trust, supported by my Department, remains committed to the long-term sustainability and development of the SWAH. 

"This includes building elective capacity, developing a safe and sustainable model for general surgery across the Trust, working collaboratively at local and regional level to identify opportunities for strategic development, and ensuring a sustainable workforce."