More than 4,000 patients waited over 12 hours in the Emergency Department at South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen during the first six months of 2026, according to newly released figures.

Data for January to June 2026 show that 4,069 people breached the 12-hour target, while 8,881 waited between four and 12 hours and 8,100 were seen within four hours. In the single month of June 2026, there were 660 waits of more than 12 hours, 1,634 between four and 12 hours, and 1,423 under four hours.

Compared with the preceding six months from July to December 2025, the number of patients waiting between four and 12 hours rose by more than 5%, and the number waiting over 12 hours increased by nearly 12%.

A Western Trust spokesperson said the organisation is acutely aware of the long waits and sincerely apologised. The spokesperson said Emergency Departments continue to see high numbers of attendees and an increase in patient acuity, adding that on a given day 60 or 70 patients can be awaiting admission across SWAH and Altnagelvin Hospital in Londonderry. Every available escalated bed is in use on both sites, the spokesperson said, and staff are caring for patients under difficult circumstances.

The campaign group Save Our Acute Services said the figures reflect sharply rising pressures and renewed its call for the restoration of emergency general surgery at SWAH. The group argued that patients in the SWAH catchment area who require emergency surgical care can face a double assessment, first at SWAH and then at Altnagelvin, and claimed that regional statistics do not identify this cohort or capture the additional journey.

SOAS urged Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to commission the return of emergency surgery to the Enniskillen hospital, stating that this would be the best way to relieve pressures on staff and Emergency Departments at both hospitals.