A fine example of People Power.

We have a right to be heard,

And we have a right to live.

STATEMENT FROM SAVE OUR ACUTE SERVICES (SOAS)

Impartial Reporter exclusive story.

SOAS WELCOMES HEALTH MINISTER MIKE NESBITT URGING WHSCT TO ‘RECONSIDER’ CONSULTATION.

WAY IS NOW OPEN TO BRING FORWARD ROADMAP TO RESTORE AND FULLY UTILISE SOUTH WEST ACUTE HOSPITAL

SOAS welcomes the intervention of Health Minister who has urged the Western Trust (WHSCT) to ‘pause’ and ‘reconsider’ their consultation process on the permanent withdrawal of emergency surgery from South West Acute Hospital.

The Minister’s statement acknowledged that the Western Trust process was besieged by ‘obvious shortcomings and mistakes’.

He identifies need to ‘restore confidence” producing a plan for SWAH.

He also stressed that ‘service reconfiguration must be handled carefully – particularly when it involves smaller hospitals like SWAH that serve rural populations’.

This statement from Health Minister comes amidst a tidal wave of community opposition to the Western Trust proposals. Firstly, the Trust had to cancel their only Fermanagh-based consultation event and then their second public consultation event scheduled for Derry/Londonderry.

SOAS will continue to engage and inform Public over the coming weeks. This is all about people power.

We as a community will stand together working towards the restoration of emergency surgery at SWAH.