Health Minister visits South West Acute Hospital site

The visit, which took place last week, was an opportunity for the new minister to meet staff and learn more about health and social care priorities across Fermanagh and West Tyrone. Health Minister visits SWAH. (Image: Supplied) He toured theatre services and heard about the commitment of staff to delivering patient care. Mr Butler also visited the hospital's Human Milk Bank, which provides donor milk to vulnerable infants across both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Karen Hargan, chief executive of the Western Health and Social Care Trust, said: "We were delighted to welcome the Health Minister to South West Acute Hospital and to have the opportunity to showcase some of the excellent work taking place across our services." Updates were provided on the trust's Fermanagh and West Tyrone Future Health and Care Services programme, which is currently gathering feedback from staff, communities, and service users to shape a long-term vision for the area. The formal engagement phase has been extended until the end of October 2026 to allow more people to contribute their views. Ms Hargan added: "The extension of the formal engagement period to the end of October will provide further opportunities for people to help shape a future vision for health and care services in the area." The minister also heard about recent investments in elective care, diagnostics, cancer services, mental health, urgent care, maternity, and midwifery services across the region.