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South West Acute Hospital remains an Acute Hospital with a Type 1 Emergency Department
Official statement from the Department of Health:
“The suspension of emergency general surgery from South West Acute Hospital does not change its Type 1 ED status or the acute status of the hospital.
“The definition of a Type 1 Emergency Department is ‘A consultant-led service with designated accommodation for the reception of emergency care patients, providing both emergency medicine and emergency surgical services 24 hours a day.’
“No hospital in Northern Ireland provide all types of emergency surgical services and the definition does not require this. Even the larger hospitals with very busy EDs do not provide everything.
“In line with the definition, emergency general surgery is not a pre-requisite. What is required is emergency surgical services. The temporary (as currently the case in South West Acute Hospital) or permanent (as proposed for Daisy Hill Hospital) suspension of emergency general surgery is not a removal of emergency surgery and those changes will therefore not impact on the type of ED which it is.
“This is not a new policy position. It reflects existing policy.”
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What is emergency general surgery?
Emergency general surgery relates to the treatment of patients presenting with acute abdominal pain, infections, bleeding, and trauma. In children, the most frequently performed emergency surgeries are appendectomy, testicular conditions.
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Why has the decision been made to temporary suspend emergency general surgery at South West Acute Hospital?
Despite our previous and ongoing efforts to recruit, we have not been successful to date in securing the necessary consultant workforce. The Trust is now unable to maintain a rota to sustain and deliver a safe emergency (unplanned) general surgical service to our population from South West Acute Hospital.
Trust Board met and approved on 17th November 2022, a recommendation for an unplanned temporary suspension of Emergency General Surgery at the South West Acute Hospital.
The current rota for emergency general surgery will be maintained up until 4 December 2022. Planned elective surgery at the hospital will continue.
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What services are NOT affected?
- South West Acute Hospital status as an Acute Hospital WILL NOT change
- Obstetrics and gynaecology service are not affected.
- Acute Medical / Care of Elderly specialties / services are not affected
- Outpatient services including general surgery Outpatients are not affected
- Non-complex elective surgery is not affected
- Critical Care / ICU are not affected
- Emergency Department will continue to receive and treat more that 90% of current attendances
- Paediatrics and Cardiology services will continue.
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What services are affected?
Emergency General Surgery will be provided in Altnagelvin Hospital.
Complex elective surgery requiring overnight stay will be consolidated on the Altnagelvin Hospital site – example bowel cancer surgery.
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Will planned and emergency caesarean sections still take place in South West Acute Hospital?
Yes, maternity services have not been affected. Pregnant mothers WILL still have their planned or emergency C-section in South West Acute Hospital.
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What will happen to people who need emergency surgery?
Patients who attend South West Acute Emergency Department who require admission for emergency surgical treatment will be transferred to the most appropriate hospital to meet their surgical needs. This will be based on the assessment of their presenting complaint.
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What will happen to surgical patients for example who have a road traffic accident or need an ambulance?
999 should be called in the usual way. The South West Acute Hospital Emergency Department will continue as part of the Regional Trauma Network. Therefore trauma patients will still be treated at the South West Acute Hospital Emergency Department. There are some exceptions, such as penetrating trauma which may be bypassed.
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What surgery will continue at South West Acute Hospital?
Planned and emergency C-sections and gynae surgery will continue on the South West Acute Hospital site. Elective (planned) surgery will continue from South West Acute Hospital, Altnagelvin Hospital and Omagh Hospital and Primary Care Complex. It is hoped through the longer term plans that we will be able to enhance our surgical capacity across the Trust through the creation of a regional overnight stay centre in line with the regional review of General Surgery.
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What does this mean for South West Acute Hospital Emergency Department?
South West Acute Hospital Emergency Department will continue to operate 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. South West Acute Hospital will also remain as receiving trauma ED as part of the regional trauma network.
South West Acute Hospital ED remains absolutely essential in meeting the unscheduled care needs of our local population.
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What does this mean for the rest of the hospital?
South West Acute Hospital is and will remain an acute hospital. Its acute status is NOT in question due to the temporary suspension of emergency general surgery. South West Acute Hospital is a very busy state-of-the-art hospital and an essential part of the Western Trust acute hospital network. It has a wide range of acute specialist services including paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology which are needed to serve our population of approximately 300,000 across the Western Trust area. We want to develop and enhance our Trust wide surgical service to offer the same safety, quality and care for all patients attending – South West Acute, Altnagelvin and Omagh Hospital and Primary Care Complex.
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Emergency General Surgery Report - July 2023
Download and print the infographic here
Emergency Department Activity (December 2022 – July 2023)
South West Acute Hospital
Total Number of Attendances (Dec 22 – Jul 23) 24,699 Total Number of Ambulance Arrivals
(Dec 22 – Jul 23)4,818 Monthly Average (Dec 22 – Jul 23) Total Number of Attendances 3,087 Ambulance Arrivals – 602
Monthly Average Before Change (Dec 20 – Nov 22) Total Number of Attendances 3,003 Ambulance Arrivals – 680
Altnagelvin Hospital – Arrivals from Local Government Districts of Fermanagh and Omagh
Total Number of Ambulance Arrivals (Dec 22 – Jul 23) 952 Total Number of Walk Ins
(Dec 22 – Jul 23)1,381 Monthly Average (Dec 22 – Jul 23) Ambulance Arrivals – 119 Walk Ins – 173
Monthly Average Before Change (Dec 20 – Nov 22) Ambulance Arrivals – 37 Walk Ins – 87
Total number (Dec 22 – Jul 23) of ambulance arrivals at other Hospitals – patients with Fermanagh and Omagh post codes
- Total: 103
- Craigavon Hospital – 96
- Royal Hospital Belfast for Sick Children – 7
Emergency General Surgery Admissions (December 2022 – July 2023)
Total admissions (Dec 22 – Jul 23) to Altnagelvin
of patients who would have previously been
admitted to South West Acute Hospital506 Monthly Average (Dec 22 – Jul 23) 63 Equating to 2 patients per day Total number since December 2022 admitted for EGS in other hospitals with Local Government Districts of Fermanagh & Omagh
- Total: 49
- Craigavon Hospital – 36
- Royal Hospital for Sick Children – 13
Elective Overnight Stay Centre Activity (December 2022 – July 2023)
As of End of July 2023:
- Theatre Sessions – 37
- Patient Surgeries Completed – 144
Elective Procedures Completed at South West Acute Hospital (1 Jan 23 – 31 Jul 23) – 830
Procedure:
- Lap Cholecystectomy – 75
- Paediatrics – 33
- Hernia – 32
- Other – 4
Trust Area:
- WHSCT – 85
- SHSCT – 28
- SEHSCT – 26
- BHSCT – 5
- Total: 103
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Emergency General Surgery Report - September 2023
Download and print the infographic here
Emergency Department Activity (December 2022 – September 2023)
South West Acute Hospital
Total Number of Attendances (Dec 22 – Sep 23) 30,862 Total Number of Ambulance Arrivals
(Dec 22 – Sep 23)5,954 Monthly Average (Dec 22 – Sep 23) Total Number of Attendances 3,086 Ambulance Arrivals – 595
Monthly Average Before Change (Dec 20 – Nov 22) Total Number of Attendances 3,003 Ambulance Arrivals – 680
Altnagelvin Hospital – Arrivals from Local Government Districts of Fermanagh and Omagh
Total Number of Ambulance Arrivals (Dec 22 – Sep 23) 1,204 Total Number of Walk Ins
(Dec 22 – Sep 23)1,738 Monthly Average (Dec 22 – Sep 23) Ambulance Arrivals – 120 Walk Ins – 174
Monthly Average Before Change (Dec 20 – Nov 22) Ambulance Arrivals – 37 Walk Ins – 87
Total number (Dec 22 – Sep 23) of ambulance arrivals at other Hospitals – patients with Fermanagh and Omagh post codes
- Total: 125
- Craigavon Hospital – 117
- Royal Hospital Belfast for Sick Children – 8
Emergency General Surgery Admissions (December 2022 – September 2023)
Total admissions (Dec 22 – Sep 23) to Altnagelvin of patients who would have previously been admitted to South West Acute Hospital 644 Monthly Average (Dec 22 – Sep 23) 64 Equating to 2 patients per day Total number since December 2022 admitted for EGS in other hospitals with Local Government Districts of Fermanagh & Omagh
- Total: 63
- Craigavon Hospital – 47
- Royal Hospital for Sick Children – 16
Elective Overnight Stay Centre Activity (December 2022 – September 2023)
As of End of September 2023:
- Theatre Sessions – 50
- Patient Surgeries Completed – 197
Elective Procedures Completed at South West Acute Hospital (1 Jan 23 – 30 Sep 23) – 941
Procedure:
- Lap Cholecystectomy – 91
- Paediatrics – 48
- Hernia – 51
- Other – 7
Trust Area:
- WHSCT – 101
- SHSCT – 43
- SEHSCT – 48
- BHSCT – 5
- Total: 125
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Emergency General Surgery Report - December 2023
Download and print the infographic here
Emergency Department Activity (December 2022 – December 2023)
South West Acute Hospital
Total Number of Attendances (Dec 22 – Dec 23) 40,314 Total Number of Ambulance Arrivals
(Dec 22 – Dec 23)7,825 Monthly Average (Dec 22 – Dec23) Total Number of Attendances 3,101 Ambulance Arrivals – 602
Monthly Average Before Change (Dec 20 – Nov 22) Total Number of Attendances 3,003 Ambulance Arrivals – 680
Altnagelvin Hospital – Arrivals from Local Government Districts of Fermanagh and Omagh
Total Number of Ambulance Arrivals (Dec 22 – Dec 23) 1,523 Total Number of Walk Ins
(Dec 22 – Dec 23)2,285 Monthly Average (Dec 22 – Dec 23) Ambulance Arrivals – 117 Walk Ins – 176
Monthly Average Before Change (Dec 20 – Nov 22) Ambulance Arrivals – 37 Walk Ins – 87
Total number (Dec 22 – Dec 23) of ambulance arrivals at other Hospitals – patients with Fermanagh and Omagh post codes
- Total: 148
- Craigavon Hospital – 140
- Royal Hospital Belfast for Sick Children – 8
Emergency General Surgery Admissions (December 2022 – December 2023)
Total admissions (Dec 22 – Dec 23) to Altnagelvin of patients who would have previously been admitted to South West Acute Hospital 882 Monthly Average (Dec 22 – Dec 23) 68 Equating to 2 patients per day Total number since December 2022 admitted for EGS in other hospitals with Local Government Districts of Fermanagh & Omagh
- Total: 80
- Craigavon Hospital – 60
- Royal Hospital for Sick Children – 20
Elective Overnight Stay Centre Activity (December 2022 – December 2023)
As of End of December 2023:
- Theatre Sessions – 73
- Patient Surgeries Completed – 290
Elective Procedures Completed at South West Acute Hospital (1 Jan 23 – 31 Dec 23) – 941
Procedure:
- Lap Cholecystectomy – 137
- Paediatrics – 54
- Hernia – 80
- Other – 19
Trust Area:
- WHSCT – 157
- SHSCT – 70
- SEHSCT – 53
- BHSCT – 10
- Total: 148
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Emergency General Surgery Report - February 2024
Download and print the infographic here
Emergency Department Activity (December 2022 – February 2024)
South West Acute Hospital
Total Number of Attendances (Dec 22 – Feb 24) 46,383 Total Number of Ambulance Arrivals
(Dec 22 – Feb 24)8,991 Monthly Average (Dec 22 – Feb 24) Total Number of Attendances 3,092 Ambulance Arrivals – 599
Monthly Average Before Change (Dec 20 – Nov 22) Total Number of Attendances 3,003 Ambulance Arrivals – 680
Altnagelvin Hospital – Arrivals from Local Government Districts of Fermanagh and Omagh
Total Number of Ambulance Arrivals (Dec 22 – Feb 24) 1,717 Total Number of Walk Ins
(Dec 22 – Feb 24)2,656 Monthly Average (Dec 22 – Feb 24) Ambulance Arrivals – 114 Walk Ins – 177
Monthly Average Before Change (Dec 20 – Nov 22) Ambulance Arrivals – 37 Walk Ins – 87
Total number (Dec 22 – Feb 24) of ambulance arrivals at other Hospitals – patients with Fermanagh and Omagh post codes
- Total: 160
- Craigavon Hospital – 151
- Royal Hospital Belfast for Sick Children – 9
Emergency General Surgery Admissions (December 2022 – February 2024)
Total admissions (Dec 22 – Feb 24) to Altnagelvin of patients who would have previously been admitted to South West Acute Hospital 1,063 Monthly Average (Dec 22 – Feb 24) 71 Equating to 2.3 patients per day Total number since December 2022 admitted for EGS in other hospitals with Local Government Districts of Fermanagh and Omagh
- Total: 85
- Craigavon Hospital – 64
- Royal Hospital for Sick Children – 21
Elective Overnight Stay Centre Activity (December 2022 – February 2024)
As of End of February 2024:
- Theatre Sessions – 103
- Patient Surgeries Completed – 350
Elective Procedures Completed at South West Acute Hospital (1 Jan 23 – 29 Feb 24) – 1,907
Procedure:
- Lap Cholecystectomy – 150
- Paediatrics – 68
- Hernia – 96
- Other – 36
Trust Area:
- WHSCT – 198
- SHSCT – 74
- SEHSCT – 68
- BHSCT – 10
- Total: 160
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Emergency General Surgery Report - March 2024
Download and print the infographic here
Emergency Department Activity (December 2022 – March 2024)
South West Acute Hospital
Total Number of Attendances (Dec 22 – Mar 24) 49,618 Total Number of Ambulance Arrivals
(Dec 22 – Mar 24)9,570 Monthly Average (Dec 22 – Mar 24) Total Number of Attendances 3,101 Ambulance Arrivals – 599
Monthly Average Before Change (Dec 20 – Nov 22) Total Number of Attendances 3,003 Ambulance Arrivals – 680
Altnagelvin Hospital – Arrivals from Local Government Districts of Fermanagh and Omagh
Total Number of Ambulance Arrivals (Dec 22 – Mar 24) 1,816 Total Number of Walk Ins
(Dec 22 – Mar 24)2,862 Monthly Average (Dec 22 – Mar 24) Ambulance Arrivals – 114 Walk Ins – 179
Monthly Average Before Change (Dec 20 – Nov 22) Ambulance Arrivals – 37 Walk Ins – 87
Total number (Dec 22 – Mar 24) of ambulance arrivals at other Hospitals – patients with Fermanagh and Omagh post codes
- Total: 176
- Craigavon Hospital – 163
- Royal Hospital Belfast for Sick Children – 13
Emergency General Surgery Admissions (December 2022 – March 2024)
Total admissions (Dec 22 – Mar 24) to Altnagelvin of patients who would have previously been admitted to South West Acute Hospital 1,141 Monthly Average (Dec 22 – Mar 24) 71 Equating to 2.3 patients per day Total number since December 2022 admitted for EGS in other hospitals with Local Government Districts of Fermanagh and Omagh
- Total: 91
- Craigavon Hospital – 69
- Royal Hospital for Sick Children – 22
Elective Overnight Stay Centre Activity (December 2022 – March 2024)
As of End of March 2024:
- Theatre Sessions – 103
- Patient Surgeries Completed – 364
Elective Procedures Completed at South West Acute Hospital (1 Jan 23 – 31 Mar 24) – 1,978
Procedure:
- Lap Cholecystectomy – 161
- Paediatrics – 68
- Hernia – 99
- Other – 36
Trust Area:
- WHSCT – 212
- SHSCT – 74
- SEHSCT – 68
- BHSCT – 10
- Total: 176
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Emergency General Surgery Report - June 2024
Download and print the infographic here
Emergency Department Activity (December 2022 – June 2024)
South West Acute Hospital
Total Number of Attendances (Dec 22 – Jun 24) 59,633 Total Number of Ambulance Arrivals
(Dec 22 – Jun 24)11,306 Monthly Average (Dec 22 – Jun 24) Total Number of Attendances 3,139 Ambulance Arrivals – 595
Monthly Average Before Change (Dec 20 – Nov 22) Total Number of Attendances 3,003 Ambulance Arrivals – 680
Altnagelvin Hospital – Arrivals from Local Government Districts of Fermanagh and Omagh
Total Number of Ambulance Arrivals (Dec 22 – Jun 24) 2,161 Total Number of Walk Ins
(Dec 22 – Jun 24)3,376 Monthly Average (Dec 22 – Jun 24) Ambulance Arrivals – 114 Walk Ins – 37
Monthly Average Before Change (Dec 20 – Nov 22) Ambulance Arrivals – 37 Walk Ins – 87
Total number (Dec 22 – Jun 24) of ambulance arrivals at other Hospitals – patients with Fermanagh and Omagh post codes
- Total: 197
- Craigavon Hospital – 183
- Royal Hospital Belfast for Sick Children – 14
Emergency General Surgery Admissions (December 2022 – June 2024)
Total admissions (Dec 22 – Jun 24) to Altnagelvin of patients who would have previously been admitted to South West Acute Hospital 1,402 Monthly Average (Dec 22 – Jun 24) 74 Equating to 2.4 patients per day Total number since December 2022 admitted for EGS in other hospitals with Local Government Districts of Fermanagh and Omagh
- Total: 109
- Craigavon Hospital – 83
- Royal Hospital for Sick Children – 26
Elective Overnight Stay Centre Activity (December 2022 – June 2024)
As of End of June 2024:
- Theatre Sessions – 103
- Patient Surgeries Completed – 364
Elective Procedures Completed at South West Acute Hospital (1 Jan 23 – 30 Jun 24) – 2,412
- Total: 197