Fermanagh and Omagh District Council has unanimously agreed to write to health oversight bodies seeking urgent progress on recommendations for emergency general surgery at the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH).

The move follows concerns raised by the campaign group Save Our Acute Services (SOAS) that two key recommendations from a Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) review remain unimplemented. The review, published last year, made several recommendations for the Western Trust to improve services.

SOAS has stated that recommendations three and four from the RQIA report have not been fully implemented by the Trust, despite a requirement to do so. A Department of Health spokesperson said the Department is working closely with the Western Trust and provides regular updates to the Assembly Health Committee.

During the council debate, Councillor Adam Gannon said residents had waited long enough for meaningful change. He raised concerns about patients potentially being admitted through the emergency department twice and the absence of direct admission pathways, which were among the RQIA's recommendations.

Councillor Gannon also voiced worries over ongoing capacity pressures and questioned whether sufficient planning was in place. He noted that while the Trust may consider some recommendations satisfied, many in the community remain unconvinced.

Councillor Dermot Browne supported the calls, saying RQIA recommendations should be implemented wherever possible. He acknowledged wider pressures on healthcare but asked what additional support might be needed to deliver the changes. He suggested discussions with the Health Minister to resolve outstanding issues.

As a result, councillors agreed to write to the RQIA, the Assembly Health Committee, and the Strategic Planning and Performance Group (SPPG) to outline the concerns and seek further engagement on the matter.