16/06/2026
The Western Trust has launched the next stage in developing a new Vision for future health and care services in Fermanagh and West Tyrone, following approval by Trust Board. The programme now moves into a formal engagement phase, with structured engagement taking place from June to September 2026.
The Vision will set out how hospital and community services can work together to meet the needs of a changing and growing population. It will take a whole-system view of care across Fermanagh and West Tyrone, including South West Acute Hospital, with a focus on ensuring services are safe, sustainable and high quality into the future.
Western Trust Chief Executive Karen Hargan said:
“This is about developing a clear, forward-looking Vision for health and care services in Fermanagh and West Tyrone, shaped by the people who use, deliver and rely on those services every day.”
“We are committed to meaningful, inclusive and transparent engagement. This formal engagement phase is an opportunity for staff, communities, partners and public representatives to tell us what matters most, what is working well and where change is needed.”
The announcement follows a comprehensive early engagement programme carried out between October 2025 and May 2026. This involved staff, public representatives, local councils, the Department of Health, the Strategic Planning and Performance Group, the Public Health Agency and a range of stakeholder groups.
The next phase will be delivered in partnership with Fermanagh and Omagh District Council through established community planning structures, whilst the Trust will also maintain continued discussions with a range of other key stakeholders. This will help ensure a wide range of voices are heard, including Section 75 groups and people who may not always take part in formal engagement processes.
Karen Hargan continued:
“We recognise that this is an important and sensitive piece of work. We want people to have clear information, open opportunities to take part and confidence that their views will be listened to. By working together, we can build a Vision that supports safe, sustainable and high-quality services for local people now and in the years ahead.”
Following completion of the formal engagement programme, the Trust will review the feedback received and present initial analysis to Trust Board from November 2026. This will help inform the development of the Vision and the next steps towards its launch.
Detailed information on the programme of work for the Vision is available on the Trust’s Online Hub.
Fermanagh and West Tyrone Health and Care Futures Online Engagement Questions
The Trust has setup the Engagement Phase Questionnaire and Online Survey on ‘Citizen Space’ at nidirect.gov.uk.
Health Care Futures – Fermanagh & West Tyrone – NI Direct – Citizen Space