13/10/2026
Patients in the Western Trust area and across the region, are benefiting from millions of pounds of investment in healthcare services, helping to deliver faster access to treatment, more diagnostic tests and appointments, and improved care closer to home.
Through funding provided by the Department of Health and the Strategic Planning and Performance Group (SPPG), more than £10 million has been invested in elective care services alone, supporting thousands of additional appointments, scans, procedures and treatments for patients.
The investment is helping to increase capacity at Altnagelvin Hospital, South West Acute Hospital and Omagh Hospital and Primary Care Complex, enabling more patients to access care closer to where they live.
Additional funding has supported major improvements in diagnostics, cancer care, trauma and orthopaedic services, endoscopy, urology, women’s health and patient flow initiatives, all aimed at reducing delays and improving patient experience.
Welcoming the investment, Western Trust Chief Executive Karen Hargan said:
“These investments are making a real difference for patients and communities across the Western Trust area and also across the region.
“We know that reducing waiting times and improving access to care are among the biggest priorities for the people we serve. This funding is helping us provide more appointments, more treatments and more diagnostic tests, while ensuring patients can access high-quality care as close to home as possible.
“It also demonstrates our commitment to all parts of the Trust area. South West Acute Hospital, Omagh Hospital and Primary Care Complex and Altnagelvin Hospital all have a vital role to play in delivering healthcare services now and into the future. We are grateful to the Department of Health and SPPG for providing this funding and for their close working relationship with the Trust, supporting the ongoing development of services and improved access for patients.”
Among the key areas benefiting from investment are:
- £2.88 million for Trauma Services
- £1.86 million for Urology Services
- £1.88 million for CT, MRI and Ultrasound services
- £1 million for Endoscopy Services
- £2.2 million to improve patient flow and reduce ambulance handover delays
- £440,000 for cancer treatment services
- £362,000 for Gynaecology Service Development
- £133,000 for Midwifery workforce investment
The Trust has also secured additional funding for 2026/27, including investment in general surgery, gynaecology, trauma and orthopaedic services and the development of a local endometriosis service.
Mark Gillespie, Director of Surgery, Paediatrics and Women’s Health at the Western Trust, said:
“This investment is helping us increase capacity across a range of services and provide treatment for more patients.
“We are particularly pleased to see the continued development of services at South West Acute Hospital, where we have successfully introduced the Elective Overnight Stay model and are continuing to expand elective activity.
“By making the best possible use of our facilities and workforce, we are improving access to care and helping more patients receive treatment sooner.”
The Trust says it will continue to work with regional partners to secure further investment and modernise services, ensuring patients across the West can continue to benefit from timely, accessible and high-quality healthcare.