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Fermanagh and West Tyrone Future Health and Care Services

Western Trust showcases strength of Omagh Hospital and Primary Care Complex as Future Health and Care Vision engagement gets underway

The Western Trust recently hosted Fermanagh and Omagh District Council Chair, Councillor Barry McElduff, at Omagh Hospital and Primary Care Complex for a walkthrough to acknowledge the facility’s significant contribution to health and social care across the Western Trust area. This followed discussions with the Council in respect of the Trust’s ongoing engagement and development of a Fermanagh and West Tyrone Health and Care Futures vision.

During the visit, Councillor McElduff met with staff and toured a number of key departments, each playing a vital role in delivering high‑quality, patient‑centred care to communities across Fermanagh and West Tyrone. Senior leaders and many staff from the Western Trust emphasised the strategic importance of Omagh Hospital and Primary Care Complex in delivering sustainable, high-quality health and social care services across Fermanagh and West Tyrone.

Councillor Barry McElduff, together with Council Chief Executive Alison McCullagh, and Western Trust Directors and senior leads outlined how the Omagh model is already demonstrating the integrated, community-focused approach which is so important in developing future Health and Care services.

Dr Maura O’Neill, Director of Community & Older Peoples Services, said:

“Omagh Hospital exemplifies the shift towards community-based, person-centred care. Services such as Rapid Response, Reablement, Treatment Rooms and Palliative Care are enabling people to remain at home safely, reducing avoidable admissions and supporting system resilience.

As demand continues to grow, strengthening these integrated pathways will be critical to ensuring safe, effective and sustainable services for our population. We thank our amazing staff for the continued compassion and commitment they provide in their roles every day.”

Mark Gillespie, Director of Surgery, Paediatrics & Women’s Health, added:

“The breadth of services delivered at Omagh is significant. Our Cardiac Assessment Unit reviews over 9,000 patients annually through a leading nurse-led model, while the Urgent Care and Treatment Centre manages more than 22,000 attendances each year. Alongside this, over 50,000 outpatient appointments and a substantial planned surgical programme are delivered on site.

This facility plays a vital role in managing demand across the wider system, protecting acute capacity and improving access for local communities.”

The visit included engagement with frontline teams across urgent care and treatment centre, diagnostics, day procedures, theatres, community rapid response, rehabilitation and palliative care services. Directors highlighted the commitment and professionalism of staff, whose work underpins the Trust’s ability to deliver safe care within a challenging operating environment.

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council Chair, Councillor Barry McElduff said:

“Omagh Hospital is a strategic asset within the Western Trust area. The integration of hospital and community services demonstrated here aligns strongly with the direction of travel for health and social care transformation.

The Council remains committed to working collaboratively with the Trust to support a clear, sustainable vision that meets the future needs of people across Fermanagh and West Tyrone.”

The Western Trust continues its stakeholder engagement programme as it develops a long-term, clinically sustainable model of care for the region.

Independent Review confirms “significant reduction” in Mortality following changes to Emergency General Surgery

The Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) has today released independent outcomes data for Emergency General Surgery services confirming ‘a clear and statistically significant reduction in mortality rate’ during the period December 2022 to the end of April 2025.

The temporary suspension of Emergency General Surgery at South West Acute Hospital (SWAH) was implemented as an emergency measure and a matter of public safety in December 2022. This was due to significant and ongoing difficulties in recruiting and retaining the required consultant workforce, which meant that there were no substantive consultant general surgeons available to work on the emergency rota at the Hospital. This position was further influenced by the introduction of revised Emergency General Surgery Safety Standards by the Department of Health in June 2022.

All Trusts in Northern Ireland participate in independent benchmarking through CHKS (Caspe Healthcare Knowledge Systems) which analyses clinical data to assess outcomes including mortality, complications, readmissions, efficiency, safety, and quality.

This most recent CHKS Independent Review (January 2026) and analysis has confirmed improved outcomes for Western Trust patients relating to the period December 2022 through to April 2025 (2 years and 5 months), showing that *Mortality has reduced by 24%, Complications have reduced by 28.5% and Readmissions have reduced by 22.5%.

These measurements reflect an improving picture in providing safer care and better recovery outcomes for patients across the Western Trust area. The CHKS have concluded:

“Overall, the data shows a clear and statistically significant reduction in mortality rate for emergency surgery patients following the revision to surgical services.” 

Western Trust Chief Executive Neil Guckian commented:

“The independent evidence covering December 2022 to April 2025 confirms that mortality for Emergency General Surgery patients has reduced by 24%. That is a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in survival. Patient safety was the reason for the temporary suspension, and the independent data demonstrates that survival outcomes have improved since that decision had to be taken.”

The Trust is fully compliant with the revised Department of Health Emergency General Surgery standards introduced in June 2022. These standards were designed to ensure that patients across Northern Ireland receive safe, specialist emergency surgical care, regardless of where they live.

Compliance has required a significant transformation of the Trust’s Consultant Workforce and the establishment of a 24/7 Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding Pathway. Mr Guckian added:

“We recognise that this remains a sensitive issue for many people. Our responsibility is to ensure that services are safe, sustainable and we deliver the best possible outcomes for the population we serve and this independent evidence shows improved survival outcomes for patients requiring Emergency General Surgery.

In addition there are now 5.6 patients per day with emergency general surgery related issues who remain in South West Acute Hospital and receive same-day or next-day care through the Emergency Surgical Ambulatory Assessment Unit. A total of 2.5 patients per day require transfer for in-patient admission in Altnagelvin Hospital.”

*Mortality refers to death within a population over a certain period of time. It is used as a measure to understand how many people die from certain conditions or overall health factors.  It also highlights access to treatment, quality of services and wider environmental influences on health. By monitoring and responding to mortality trends, the Western Trust can make improvements to care and prevention.

Families’ involvement inspires newly renovated relatives’ rooms at South West Acute Hospital intensive care unit

The Western Trust, has recently announced the opening of newly renovated rooms for relatives of patients to use in the intensive care unit at South West Acute hospital.

In total, four areas were re-floored, repainted and decorated with fresh furniture and artwork to make them more comfortable for patients’ relatives spending time in the unit while their loved ones receive treatment and care.

South West Acute Hospital’s ICU Ward Manager Eimear Watson, said that the idea of renovating the areas came about a few years ago when discussions were had about how the areas could be made more comfortable for patients’ relatives.

“We spoke with our Estates team on what could be done,” Eimear said.

“They suggested that we speak with patients’ relatives directly and ask for their advice and involvement on what they would like to see done with the rooms, which made complete sense.

“After all, it’s the families and their relatives that use these spaces and they know best what they would like in the rooms and what would make them feel comfortable.”

The renovations saw changes made to four areas in total. The large main relatives’ room was updated and the colour of the flooring was changed to split the room into three separate areas. New colourful sofas and other furniture were added, with fresh artwork on the walls to make the room as relaxing and comfortable as possible.

A picture showing staff members and relatives at the newly refurbished ICU relatives rooms at SWAH

A glass enclosed waiting area was also updated with colourful vinyl to add more privacy and two further rooms used for family discussions received similar treatment with more comfortable furniture and fresh paint. Eimear said:

“We use one of these rooms for families when they come back for follow-up clinics so it’s now a really nice comfortable space for patients and their relatives to come back into.”

The final renovated area was a private room for families to use that is more private for them after perhaps receiving difficult news regarding their loved one.  Eimear said that families had fed back during the renovation process that there was a need for a space in which they could have private conversations.

This private room has been made swipe access only and is given to one family at a time – A place to leave their personal belongings, the room has been updated with new lighting, soft furnishings, tea and coffee facilities, as well as some personal touches such as packs containing toothpaste, deodorant and other personal items that families can make use of while they are there.

Discussing the overall renovations, Eimear said that she was ‘delighted’ that all of the decisions were made by the families’ involvement group

“Everything from the colours, to the kind of furniture, the paintings that were put on the walls – it was all done by the relatives of previous patients of intensive care here and we’re very pleased with the outcome,” she said.

New women’s health hub launched in Western Trust-run GP practices in Fermanagh and South Tyrone

The Western Trust has launched a new women’s health hub at Fintona Medical Centre, delivering improved access to specialist care for women across Fermanagh and South Tyrone.

The service is based within the Trust-run GP practices that were at risk of closure last year. Following engagement with the Department of Health, the Western Trust intervened to protect local GP services in Fintona, Dromore and Trillick, and Brookeborough and Tempo, ensuring patients could continue to access care close to home.

Listening to public feedback about the need for better access to women’s health services, the Trust has introduced an innovative GP-led model focused on early intervention, choice and convenience.

Led by experienced GP Dr Kelly Maguire, the new clinics provide support for menopause, HRT, menstrual conditions, sexual health and contraception. Dr Maguire, who has over 20 years of experience in women’s health, will be serving all the patients of the Trust run practices in Fintona, Brookeborough & Tempo, and Dromore & Trillick. Clinics run twice weekly, with patients able to self-refer or be referred by their GP.

This initiative reflects the Trust’s commitment to listening to communities and helping to protect local services. Developing modern, patient-centred care and meeting the health needs of our population are key elements in the wider Vision planning for the future of health and care services in Fermanagh and West Tyrone.

For the full story, visit: New women’s health hub launched in Trust-run GP practices in Fermanagh and South Tyrone | Western Health & Social Care Trust

 

Trust provides update on Emergency General Surgery and response to the SOAS Roadmap recommendations

Following considerable feedback from staff and the public, the Western Health and Social Care Trust is providing detailed updates now in respect of the following:

  • Western Trust Response Brief to the SOAS Roadmap – 20 Recommendations
  • Western Trust Update Statement and current position in respect of Emergency General Surgery

The Trust respects the work undertaken by SOAS in producing the Roadmap and appreciate the significant time and effort which the hospital campaign pressure group have taken to put forward its 20 recommendations. We recognise the deep interest and concern within the community about the future of health and care services in Fermanagh and West Tyrone.  We hope to work alongside local people through the networks and representatives they know and are familiar with to shape a vision for safe and sustainable health and care services into the future.

SOAS have put forward 20 proposed recommendations.  We agree with some of these, as they align closely with work that we already have underway in the Trust, and with the Department of Health, or we have made clear are our strategic direction of travel. Others will require decisions or leadership at regional, national or cross-border level if they are to move forward.  We must be clear that a small number of recommendations cannot be supported, because they do not meet the Department of Health’s clinical standards for safe care of surgical patients or commissioning requirements.

Our initial position on the Roadmap recommendations is set out in the attached summary brief, and we welcome dialogue with the SOAS group and all stakeholders as our work progresses.

For full story, visit:https://westerntrust.hscni.net/update-on-emergency-general-surgery-and-response-to-the-soas-roadmap-recommendations/

To view the Trust’s full response to the SOAS roadmap, visit: https://westerntrust.hscni.net/download/1055/fwt/24581/20260122-western-trust-response-brief-to-the-soas-roadmap-20-recommendations.pdf

To view the Trust’s current position in respect of Emergency General Surgery, visit:

https://westerntrust.hscni.net/download/1055/fwt/24582/20260120-western-trust-briefing-statement-update-on-emergency-general-surgery-change-and-current-position-final.pdf

Stormont Health Committee visits Cardiac Services at South West Acute Hospital

Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly’s Health Committee recently visited the Cardiac Ward and Cardiac Imaging Centre at South West Acute Hospital (SWAH), where they met staff and patients and learned more about the services provided.

The visit was led by Consultant Cardiologist Professor Monica Monaghan, who showed members around the cardiac unit and imaging facilities, including the CT and MRI scanning services. Committee members also had the opportunity to speak with the multidisciplinary team and patient’s currently receiving care there.

Prof Monaghan explained

“A significant proportion of patients attending the Emergency Department require admission to medical specialties such as cardiology, respiratory medicine and gastroenterology. The cardiac team treats a wide range of acute conditions, including heart attacks, abnormal heart rhythms, heart failure and valve disease.”

SWAH is one of only three centres in Northern Ireland providing cardiac MRI, with patients travelling from across the region to access this specialist service. The hospital operates as part of a regional hub-and-spoke model, supporting both local and regional cardiac care.

Prof Monaghan also emphasised the importance of treating patients holistically, working closely with nurses, pharmacists and other specialists to achieve best outcomes. Specialist pharmacist Laura Cox commented:

“Medication management plays a vital role in supporting patients with multiple conditions, helping to optimise treatment, reduce side effects and empower patients to manage their health more effectively.”

The visit highlighted the strength, expertise and teamwork of cardiac services at SWAH, and their important role within the regional health system. SWAH remains an important Acute Hospital within the Northern Ireland hospital network and its acute services provision has not changed. 

​SWAH provides a 24/7 Type 1 Emergency Department, maternity services (Obstetrics and Gynaecology), full resuscitation facilities and Intensive Care Unit.

Cardiology Staff at South West Acute Hospital meet ‘Hero’ Dog Polly

Our hardworking Cardiology staff at South West Acute Hospital were delighted to welcome a furry visitor to their department recently. 
The remarkable canine ‘Polly’ the Golden Retriever, from Ballinamallard has been crowned a ‘Hero Dog’ by the British Heart Foundation, as it was her bark in the middle of the night that alerted owner Hannah Cooke that her husband Adam had gone in to cardiac arrest.
All because of Polly’s bark, Hannah was given those critical minutes to perform CPR until help arrived. Adam was then treated by the amazing Cardiology staff at South West Acute Hospital – it was truly a team effort!
Following successful treatment and recovery Adam, wife Hanna and family were able to return to the hospital, with Polly, to personally thank the cardiology staff. Professor Monica Monaghan, Consultation Cardiologist at South West Acute Hospital said:
“It was incredibly moving to see Adam and his family visit our Department after an event like Adam endured, but we were particularly delighted to also meet Polly for the first time. That really brings a buoyancy to the staff when they see the efforts that they put in.”

Western Trust meet with Fermanagh Business Leaders: The Trust have met with Business Leaders in Fermanagh as part of an ongoing stakeholder engagement period to listen to and discuss concerns raised by the group.

Western Trust Chief Executive and Senior Leaders met with members of the Fermanagh Business Leaders Group at Encirc facilities in Derrylin, Fermanagh.

Chief Executive, Neil Guckian, said:

“We welcomed the opportunity to meet with Fermanagh business leaders today at Encirc. Following a tour of Encirc’s impressive facilities in Derrylin, our senior team had open and constructive discussions, listening carefully to concerns raised about the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH) and wider health services. We were clear in our discussions that SWAH is a vital and valued part of the health service locally, with significant strengths, and that it will continue to play an important role in the future delivery of health and care in the area.

“We value these conversations and remain committed to ongoing engagement and clear communication as we work together to shape the future of health and care in Fermanagh and West Tyrone.”

Correspondence received by Fermanagh Business Leaders Group

Western Trust provides Independent Improved Outcomes Data for Emergency General Surgery Patients to Assembly Committee for Health

The Western Trust was pleased to host the Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Health at the South West Acute Hospital on Thursday 27 November.

Western Trust Chair, Dr Tom Frawley and Chief Executive, Neil Guckian, outlined to Committee Members the significant and growing challenges facing the Western Trust, including rising population needs, pressures on mental health and social care, increasing financial constraints, and ongoing medical workforce difficulties. They also provided an update on the developments in both Emergency General Surgery (EGS) and elective services, set against persistent winter pressures and increasing Emergency Department demand.

Chief Executive, Neil Guckian, outlined the ongoing shift across Northern Ireland and the UK towards day-case and ambulatory surgery, noting that,

“Hundreds of patients every year are now safely treated through ambulatory pathways at South West Acute and Altnagelvin Hospitals, with over five patients per day presenting at South West Acute Hospital receiving same-day or next-day assessment and treatment, and 2.5 patients per day transferred for inpatient care and treatment to Altnagelvin Hospital.”

A central theme of the Western Trust’s update was the continued improvement in outcomes for EGS patients since the temporary change in 2022. Mr Guckian confirmed:

“The Western Trust is fully compliant with the revised Emergency General Surgery standards introduced by former Minister Robin Swann in 2022. These standards were created to ensure that no matter where a patient lives in Northern Ireland, they receive safe, specialist care that meets the highest clinical benchmarks. Compliance with these standards has required significant transformation of our consultant workforce and the establishment of a 24/7 upper gastrointestinal bleeding pathway.”

All HSC Trusts in Northern Ireland have contracts with a benchmarking organisation, CHKS, who receive raw data which they analyse to produce mortality, flow, efficiency and safety and quality metrics. This independent CHKS analysis shows that since the introduction of the new clinical pathways, outcomes for general surgery patients across the Trust have continued to improve. Mortality has reduced by approximately 14%, complications by 21%, and readmissions by 22% – important indicators of safer care and better recovery for patients.

Western Trust provides Independent Improved Outcomes Data for Emergency General Surgery Patients to Assembly Committee for Health | Western Health & Social Care Trust

Western Trust begin stakeholder pre engagement meetings schedule

Following correspondence received from SOAS, as part of the Trust’s ongoing open and transparent approach to informing our staff and the public, we are publishing this information on our information hub.

SOAS decline offer of Initial Meeting with Western Trust Executive

Following a considerable number of communications between SOAS and the Trust in recent weeks, SOAS declined the meeting with the Trust at 5pm on Thursday 20 November and they notified the Council that the meeting would not be going ahead. The Trust has not refused to meet with SOAS and indeed have asked the local group to reconsider and that the opportunity remains open to proceed with a meeting in the future with suggested balanced arrangements to include an agreed agenda, an independent chair without a prior public position on the SOAS Roadmap, and a non-livestreamed initial meeting. The Trust has also provided an option for both parties to be invited to Council to present equally there.

Western Trust intervention secures Primary Care Services in three GP Practices in Fermanagh and West Tyrone

The Western Trust has intervened and taken action to support several GP practices in Fermanagh and West Tyrone that were at risk of closing and patients being dispersed to other GP Practices, following engagement with the Department of Health.

This Trust support has helped to keep GP services running in Fintona, Dromore and Trillick, and Brookeborough and Tempo, which may have closed down otherwise.

The Western Trust is currently planning work with all relevant partners and stakeholders to develop a shared understanding of local health and care needs, and to listen to the community on the future of healthcare in Fermanagh and West Tyrone. This follows the Health Minister’s request to begin the process of producing a vision plan, emphasising how the South West Acute Hospital will meet the health needs of its current and future population in the area.

Full story here: Trust Helps Keep Local GP Surgeries Open in Tyrone and Fermanagh | Western Health & Social Care Trust

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