1,000 signatures reached
To: Department of Health, Politicians
Fermanagh Save our Services
End the threat to services in SWAH! Return those services which have been downgraded to full operation!
We the undersigned demand that our Stroke Unit remains open, that our Neonatal unit is returned to full operating status and that we retain ENT, respiratory and orthopaedic services. Cutting front line services should never be considered as 'savings' or 'efficiency targets'.
The WHSCT must take action to address the chronic GP crisis on our county and ensure NHS access for everyone in Fermanagh.
We the undersigned demand that our Stroke Unit remains open, that our Neonatal unit is returned to full operating status and that we retain ENT, respiratory and orthopaedic services. Cutting front line services should never be considered as 'savings' or 'efficiency targets'.
The WHSCT must take action to address the chronic GP crisis on our county and ensure NHS access for everyone in Fermanagh.
Why is this important?
Our health is our most precious asset.
Moves to close provision in South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen will force patients to undergo an unnecessary and lengthy journey to facilities which may be up to two hours drive away. There has been a huge amount invested (wasted on PFI) in our new hospital - it makes absolutely no sense to be paying huge sums for a fine hospital but with no services in it.
After huge demonstration of people-power in response to the 'sham' pre-consultation exercise on Stroke services and the WHSCT six week consultation on brutal front-line health cuts it is clear the people of Fermanagh reject further service closures.
Now that the WHSCT has performed a u-turn on its proposed emergency cuts we want to see a similar u-turn on the threat to SWAH's Stroke department. We also demand that those services not mentioned in the cuts consultation such as ENT, orthopaedics and Respiratory are maintained as they are and that Neonatal services which were subject to a temporary downgrading in 2014 but one which has never been lifted are restored to full operating status.
In Fermanagh we pay our taxes and we work hard - longer hours than most parts of NI. We demand and deserve local, quality health services and decent social care provision for our most vulnerable. We demand local GP services that we can see quickly when needed and quality medical provision close enough to make the difference when we need it.
Health services have been provided in our county for decades without a problem. It is only a problem now - we fear a crisis is being engineered to open the door for private medicine to make us pay for decent local services when we should be able to access them through the NHS. Hands off our NHS!
Moves to close provision in South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen will force patients to undergo an unnecessary and lengthy journey to facilities which may be up to two hours drive away. There has been a huge amount invested (wasted on PFI) in our new hospital - it makes absolutely no sense to be paying huge sums for a fine hospital but with no services in it.
After huge demonstration of people-power in response to the 'sham' pre-consultation exercise on Stroke services and the WHSCT six week consultation on brutal front-line health cuts it is clear the people of Fermanagh reject further service closures.
Now that the WHSCT has performed a u-turn on its proposed emergency cuts we want to see a similar u-turn on the threat to SWAH's Stroke department. We also demand that those services not mentioned in the cuts consultation such as ENT, orthopaedics and Respiratory are maintained as they are and that Neonatal services which were subject to a temporary downgrading in 2014 but one which has never been lifted are restored to full operating status.
In Fermanagh we pay our taxes and we work hard - longer hours than most parts of NI. We demand and deserve local, quality health services and decent social care provision for our most vulnerable. We demand local GP services that we can see quickly when needed and quality medical provision close enough to make the difference when we need it.
Health services have been provided in our county for decades without a problem. It is only a problem now - we fear a crisis is being engineered to open the door for private medicine to make us pay for decent local services when we should be able to access them through the NHS. Hands off our NHS!
How it will be delivered
In very large numbers and in person to a Health Minister whether locally-elected or a direct-rule one - or failing that to the Permanent Secretary of the Department of Health. We are not accepting these inhumane and unnecessary cuts!
