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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
National
Conor Coyle

Western Trust launches ‘ticket only’ events for public views on SWAH emergency surgery removal

The Western Health and Social Care Trust will host a series of ticket only events for the public to give their views on the removal of emergency general surgery at the South West Acute Hospital.

The events are part of a 12-week public consultation on what the Trust says is a "temporary" suspension of the service, which begins this week.

The local health trust says it will hold seven face-to-face meetings with the public across several parts of Fermanagh and Tyrone, as well as two virtual sessions.

READ MORE: Fermanagh doctors targeted with ‘verbal abuse’ over surgery suspension at South West Acute Hospital

Trust staff will also be invited to "engagement sessions" related to the change in service, which came into effect in December.

The Trust has said that the withdrawal of the service is necessary due to difficulties in recruiting the necessary number of surgeons to make the service safe.

Speaking about the consultation, Trust Chief Executive Neil Guckian said: “I accept this will be a concerning time for the local population.

“I want to reassure people that our priority is to provide a safe, sustainable and effective Emergency General Surgery service for patients in the Western Trust area, ensuring safe services and the best outcomes for all patients.

“The main objective of this consultation is to see if an alternative viable means of delivering Emergency General Surgery at SWAH can be identified.”

Those wishing to attend the meetings need to register on the Western Trust website in order to be granted a ticket.

The first meeting will take place in the Lakeland Forum in Enniskillen on 30 January, with the details for the others below:

  • Lakeland Forum, Enniskillen - 30 January, 6.30pm to 8.30pm
  • Castle Park Leisure Centre, Lisnaskea - 31 January, 6.30pm to 8.30pm
  • Ecclesville Centre, Fintona - 01 February, 6.30pm to 8.30pm
  • Bawnacre Centre, Irvinestown - 02 February, 6.30pm to 8.30pm
  • Belcoo Community Centre - 07 February, 6.30pm to 8.30pm
  • Owenkillew Centre, Gortin - 08 February, 6.30pm to 8.30pm
  • Omagh Leisure Complex - 09 February, 6.30pm to 8.30pm

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