Elected representatives from Fermanagh and West Tyrone have visited South West Acute Hospital (SWAH) to meet frontline staff and learn about recent service developments and investment. The visit was hosted by Western Health and Social Care Trust Vice-Chair Brian Telford and Chief Executive Karen Hargan, along with members of the senior leadership team.

The delegation toured several departments, including the Emergency Department, where consultants discussed pressures on urgent and emergency care. They also met the Front Door Frailty Team, a recently established service that provides early specialist intervention for older people to help them maintain independence and avoid unnecessary hospital admissions.

Other services highlighted included the hospital's cardiology service, one of only three centres in Northern Ireland delivering this level of care, and the MRI Unit, which has seen recent investment to enhance diagnostic capacity. The delegation learned about the Videofluoroscopy service, unique to SWAH, which uses moving X-ray technology to assess swallowing safety and is delivered jointly by Speech and Language Therapy and Radiography teams.

The visitors also toured the Emergency Surgical Ambulatory Assessment Unit, which provides rapid assessment and treatment for patients with emergency surgical conditions, often avoiding hospital admission. The final stop was the Stroke Unit, recognised for its high standards of care and clinical outcomes.

The visit included an update on the Fermanagh and West Tyrone Health and Care Futures programme, which is shaping a long-term vision for sustainable health and social care services across the area. Discussions focused on future opportunities to enhance services and improve patient access.

Brian Telford said the visit provided an opportunity to showcase services including groundbreaking treatments and innovative models of care. Karen Hargan said the visit highlighted the expertise of staff, significant investments made to enhance services, and the hospital's role in the future direction of healthcare through the Futures programme.