Over 600 attend public meeting about SWAH stroke unit

by Gráinne Connolly

Yesterday a public meeting took place at the Killyhevlin Hotel in Enniskillen to discuss the future of the Stroke Unit at South West Acute Hospital (SWAH). 

According to Stephen McAloon, Stroke survivor and Chairman of Fermanagh Stroke Support Group there were over 600 people who attended the meeting. 

That's not including those who were turned away due to running out of space.

Yesterday Q Radio spoke to Louise Hardman who cares for her husband Wayne, who had a stroke back in June. 

Louise was telling us about their experience at SWAH when her husband had a stroke: 

"Because we live in a very rural area in Fermanagh, like many other people in Fermanagh and Tyrone, that golden hour is so critical. 

"Fortunately we got to the Stroke unit more or less on time. 

"We were treated at the South West Acute Hospital which is a state of the art hospital, with in my opinion the best performing unit in the whole world. 

"It is a highly sought after unit. We had exceptional care right from the start."

Fermanagh South Tyrone MP Michelle Gildernew has encouraged people to have their say on the stroke services before the consultation period ends.

"The hospital here in Enniskillen has the highest rating of all hospitals across the north for stroke services. Indeed, it is one of the best in Western Europe. 

"We need to ensure that we have a strong, unified voice to keep it.

"We are currently at pre-consultation stage. That is why we are here, to engage in that process. However, indications from other HSC meetings in the Western Trust area appear to point to a proposed reduction in services at the Enniskillen hospital.

"If these proposals are realised, people from Roslea to Belleek would have journeys well in excess of the 'golden hour' from home to hospital. That is not even taking into account the time it could take an ambulance to reach them."

Local people are encouraged to have their say before the pre-consultation ends this Friday, 15th September.