Emergency general surgery services to be temporarily suspended at the South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen

There has been widespread condemnation of the decision to remove emergency surgical services from the South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen.

The move was confirmed by the Western Health and Social Care Trusts yesterday evening and will be implemented on December 18^th.

It’s understood that the measures have been taken due to challenges over the recruitment and retention of the necessary surgeons.

Despite saying the move was temporary, the trust did not say when it expected emergency general surgery would resume.

The emergency department and other services including obstetrics will continue to operate as normal.