Calls for resignations as council hits out at lack of accountability

FERMANAGH and Omagh District Council has united in calling for the Board of the Western Health and Social Care Trust to resign over their “evasive” actions around the emerging crisis at the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH); in particular, the precarious position of emergency surgical services.

The call came shortly after a Motion of No Confidence in the Trust Chief Executive was lodged, due for debate next month.

Among a number of revelations at the meeting, it has also emerged that SWAH staff have been informed a surgical ward will close next month, and six surgeons based at Altnagelvin Hospital are willing to rota-cover emergency services – but this has not been picked up on.

Councillor Adam Gannon, SDLP, informed members SWAH staff have been told Emergency Surgery Ward 3 will not take admissions from December 4 and will close two weeks later.

He said: “The Trust did everything to deny this was happening. One of their representatives went as far as telling a newspaper there was misinformation. Then they hid it in Confidential Business, dodging questions.

“I’m disgusted and outraged, as everyone should be. Those who made these decisions should be absolutely ashamed of themselves.”

He claimed: “They say other services won’t be affected, yet from December 18 obstetrics will be unable to operate, following advice from the Royal College of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians, because there’s no emergency or immediate surgery available.

“The staff deserve better than this. Altnagelvin Hospital has six surgeons who are more than willing to rotacover emergency services in the SWAH and the Trust just never bothered.

“They aren’t fit to do their job. They’re failing the public in their responsibilities.”

He proposed the Council express no confidence in the Board and call for their resignations. He also requested the Department of Health put the area into Special Measures and take on direct management until a new Board is in place, alongside changes to structures securing emergency surgery.

Seconding, Councillor Emmet Mcaleer, Independent, said: “This is life-threatening and life-altering. It’s worth noting the Trust Chief Executive is happy for patients to make the trip from Fermanagh to Altnagelvin Hospital, but when it comes to consultants coming to our area, apparently that’s different.”

Ulster Unionist Councillor Victor Warrington told members: “In a week when Enniskillen was recognised as the best place to live, anybody considering moving here could have second thoughts if they didn’t have medical support.”

He continued: “The Trust has been very disingenuous and evasive. The fact they haven’t responded to our request for an urgent meeting proves that. We all want to retain our services in the SWAH and alternative hospitals are at least 40 miles away, and 40 miles in an ambulance is no fun.

“We need to put a strong voice together to fight this.”

Sinn Fein Councillor Debbie Coyle agreed, stating: “Staff at that [ward closure] meeting clearly put the message out that the situation is not acceptable. The Trust are already looking for volunteers to move out of that ward, so that process has started.

“How will Derry [Altnagelvin Area Hospital] cope with the extra burden? I understand they are struggling. We need to keep up the fight and make sure this [ward closure] isn’t permanent.”

Councillor Donal O’cofaigh, CCLA said: “We need the restoration of the arrangement in 2020 when there was provision for maintenance of emergency surgery by surgeons coming from across Northern Ireland. That’s what’s needed in the interim, and something we should seek.”

Final speaker, Councillor Josephine Deehan, Independent, expressed “grave concern at the suspension of acute surgical services at SWAH”.

She continued: “Removal of these will impact on healthcare in our population and will put lives at risk. It will also reduce the viability of other services.

“We need the SWAH to remain acute, and I support all measures to ensure those services are reinstated as quickly as possible.”

All proposals passed unanimously.