Councillors and Western Trust officials clashed at a meeting of Fermanagh and and Omagh District Council's Health Subcommittee on Friday as tensions over services at the South West Acute Hospital continue to rise.
A public consultation is currently underway about the future of emergency general surgery at the hospital, while concerns have been raised about consultant staffing levels in the obstetrics and gynaecology department as well.
There were tense exchanges during the meeting as Chair, Councillor John Coyle SDLP, stood firm on criticism of the handling of the staffing crisis which led to a clash with the Trust's medical director.
READ MORE: Urgent update sought on SWAH maternity services after concern raised over future
The meeting was attended by a panel of Western Trust management, led by the Interim Director of Acute Services, Mark Gillespie, and including Medical Director, Dr Brendan Lavery.
In the course of an update in the position at the SWAH and the recruitment process, Mr Gillespie appealed for a positive narrative as opposed to negativity.
Responding, the Chair said: “We as public representatives and people who have concerns about the process for both general surgery and recruitment, are not going to apologise for holding you to account.
He claimed: “This is complete mismanagement at both senior and Board level … We know the SWAH is a fantastic place to work. It was councillors who said we need to promote it more.”
He continued: “The public, nor any group or individual, cannot be blamed for what the [Western] Trust has done.
“We will hold you to account, and we won’t apologise for it. You need to do a lot more. It’s important consultants are in place at all times.”
However, Dr Lavery interjected, telling the Chair: “I think it’s very important you reflect on your duty and your actions as well. We need to have an air of positivity about recruitment at SWAH.
“It is reasonable for you to ask questions, but it is fair to say that you have to help us with this positivity so that we can recruit.
“That is something you can do, and you do have to reflect on that.”
The Chair, however, warned: “Do not talk to us like we are stupid,” to which Dr Lavery said he did not think he had but instead had asked for some positivity.
In response, the Chair said: “I will always be positive [about the SWAH]. I see the good people working there but so many have left because of problems, including senior management not doing what they are supposed to be doing.
READ MORE: Western Trust defends public consultation on SWAH as campaigners brand it a ‘sham’
“So you [the Western Trust] need to reflect and ensure you are in the right frame of mind to support workers and retain them. Don’t blame it all on us.”
He further claimed: “It has been shown over the last number of weeks the [Western] Trust cannot be trusted. Support works two ways.”
While the Chair was in the process of saying the Western Trust need to start being truthful, honest and respectful, Dr Lavery cut in stating: “Mr Coyle, I’m going to have to stop you there – can I ask you to clarify your statement about being untruthful?”
The Chair replied: “I’m Councillor Coyle, and as the Chair, I am moving on.”
The meeting then moved on to discuss other health-related matters.
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