12/08/2026
The Western Trust has announced the introduction of 20 new Trust-run vehicles to support Homecare staff working across some of the most rural and hard-to-reach communities in the Trust area.
As part of the initiative, 14 vehicles will be allocated across the Fermanagh and Omagh Council area, with the remaining six based in the Northern Sector. The cars will be utilised by Homecare teams operating in locations where long travel distances and limited transport options can present challenges to the delivery of care.
The investment aims to improve the accessibility, responsiveness and coverage of Homecare services, ensuring patients can continue to receive high-quality care in their own homes. The vehicles will also help reduce the financial burden on care staff who have traditionally relied on their own vehicles to travel between appointments.
Dr Maura O’Neill, Director of Community and Older People’s Services, said:
“This initiative represents a significant investment in both our Homecare workforce and the communities they serve. By providing Trust vehicles in some of our most rural locations, we are helping staff reach those who need care most, while reducing the travel-related costs they can face in delivering essential services.
“The introduction of these vehicles will support improved access to Homecare services, enhance our ability to respond to demand across remote areas and strengthen our ongoing efforts to address the challenges of rurality. Most importantly, it will help ensure that more people can continue to receive care and support within their own homes and communities.”
The phased rollout of the vehicles is now underway and forms part of the Trust’s wider programme of initiatives aimed at strengthening Homecare services, supporting hospital discharge pathways and improving outcomes for service users across the Western Trust area.
From Left to Right: (Caroline Baxter, Homecare Improvement Lead, Tanya Woods, Reablement Support Worker, Martina Gunn, Reablement Support Worker, Maura O’Neill, Director Community & Older People Services, Patricia Carlin, Homecare Services Manager, Martin McGeady, Head of Homecare, Bernie Graham, Reablement Team Lead, Aine McGovern, Reablement Co Ordinator.)
The introduction of these vehicles is one of a number of initiatives being developed to strengthen health and social care services in the Western Trust, including across Fermanagh and West Tyrone. The Western Trust is keen to hear from patients, service users, carers, families and local communities about what matters most to them and how services can continue to evolve to meet local needs.
We encourage everyone to share their views and help shape the future of health and social care services in the area by completing our online questionnaire: https://consultations2.nidirect.gov.uk/hsc/health-care-futures-fermanagh-west-tyrone/
To find out more about the Vision for Future Health and Care Services in Fermanagh and West Tyrone, visit: https://westerntrust.hscni.net/about-the-trust/fwt-future-health-and-care-services/