THE Western Health and Social Care Trust's (Western Trust) is preparing to bring a consultation on a "permanent change" to Emergency General Surgery (EGS) at the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH). 

Emergency surgery was temporarily suspended in November, 2022 amid difficulties recruiting consultants, and this situation has remained in place for almost two years. 

According to the Western Trust's Corporate Risk Update, they are now moving toward a "permanent change" to the delivery of suspended service.

The update read: "Temporary suspension remains in place with [the Western] Trust now in the preparatory stages to move to consultation on a permanent change delivery model."

This followed two previous updates earlier this year, which stated that as the suspension remained in place, there was "no change to risk".

According to the Western Trust, a consultation must first receive approval from the Trust board, and "no such approval has yet been presented".

In line with Change and Withdrawal of Services guidance, the Western Trust is considering the further position of Emergency General Surgery across the Trust.

"The Trust, supported by the Department of Health (DoH) remains committed to the long-term sustainability and development of SWAH," a spokeswoman from the Western Trust said.

"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.

"The Trust need Trust Board approval to move forward with any consultation. No such proposal has been presented to Trust Board."