There have been further calls from local representatives in Co Fermanagh for the resignation of the Western Health and Social Services Trust Board, including its Chief Executive Neil Guckian, at a meeting of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council.
Anger and confusion are continuing to build over the handling of the withdrawal of emergency surgical services at South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen.
The Western Trust briefed councillors of engagement with the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) over the situation, this transpired to be with a representative who attended the Emergency Meeting on 17 November in what was understood to be in his capacity as a Department of Health representative.
READ MORE: Health officials grilled at council meeting over SWAH emergency surgery suspension
While the Western Trust also outlined the mitigations taken to provide assurances on the safety and sustainability of obstetrics and gynaecology services in SWAH involving the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecologists (RCOG) on a local level, it has now confirmed: “This should have referred to mitigation options.”
Councillor Adam Gannon, SDLP referenced Mr. Guckian acknowledging: “The position this council has taken in regards to no confidence and calls for resignations, obviously put a lot of pressure on him and the Trust. That’s positive; to make our case for our services and it’s something we need to do.”
He proposed writing to the five Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLAs asking them to support the calls for resignations on the basis of no confidence in the Trust Board, adding: “Every party in this council backs this so it shouldn’t be a matter for much debate.”
Seconding this, Councillor Donal O’Cofaigh CCLA noted Mr Guckian’s contribution to the Emergency Council meeting was "replete with alleged facts which have subsequently been subject to a degree of scrutiny and cast a lot of question marks.”
He queried the cost of private ambulances which the Western Trust is exploring to move patients requiring emergency surgery to other facilities.
Councillor O’Cofaigh stated he understood this could be in the region of £4,000 a day: “More than it would cost to maintain a locum consultant per day. There’s a claim of very few patients needing surgery in less than four hours but then we hear there are five patients a day.”
Following the meeting the Western Trust were asked a series of questions including whether the RCOG had been consulted on caesarean risk.
A spokesperson from the Trust said: “The Trust outlined the mitigations we have taken to provide assurances on the safety and sustainability of obstetrics and gynaecology services in SWAH.
"At the Council presentation the Trust referenced RCOG local input. This should have referred to mitigation options. These mitigation options were developed in conjunction with the Divisional Clinical Director and local Clinical Lead for Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
"The Trust, having written to the Vice President of the RCOG on 21 September as part of our contingency planning, then consulted with the Regional Representative of the RCOG, who was in agreement that these measures would allow patients to be assured of a continued high standard and quality of care.”
In relation to Mr Guckian considering his position the Western Trust spokesperson replied: “Our thoughts are not on resignations but on how we can ensure that the community of Fermanagh and West Tyrone have access to safe and sustainable emergency general surgery.”
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