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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| GP says services must be resumed | GP says services must be resumed |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A GP from Omagh has said suspended gynaecological services in hospitals in Omagh and Enniskillen need to be resumed "as quickly as possible". | A GP from Omagh has said suspended gynaecological services in hospitals in Omagh and Enniskillen need to be resumed "as quickly as possible". |
| The Erne and Tyrone County hospitals have suspended some services due to a shortage of junior doctors. | The Erne and Tyrone County hospitals have suspended some services due to a shortage of junior doctors. |
| The Western Trust had appointed six, but so far only one has started. | |
| Dr Josephine Deehan said it was "very disappointing and alarming news" and it was "unparalleled that a service would be simply suspended". | Dr Josephine Deehan said it was "very disappointing and alarming news" and it was "unparalleled that a service would be simply suspended". |
| Dr Deehan, who is also an SDLP councillor, said: "I spoke to the trust on Tuesday and a spokesperson told me that there would be a team of senior clinicians and trust managers who will visit the Erne Hospital on Wednesday to assess the situation." | Dr Deehan, who is also an SDLP councillor, said: "I spoke to the trust on Tuesday and a spokesperson told me that there would be a team of senior clinicians and trust managers who will visit the Erne Hospital on Wednesday to assess the situation." |
| "Because of the large geographical area that has to be covered, from the most southern aspect of Fermanagh to the north of the province, I think the distances involved are such that patient safety can't be assured. | "Because of the large geographical area that has to be covered, from the most southern aspect of Fermanagh to the north of the province, I think the distances involved are such that patient safety can't be assured. |
| "It would be my hope that normal gynacaelogical services will resume as quickly as possible." | "It would be my hope that normal gynacaelogical services will resume as quickly as possible." |
| 'Beginning of the end' | |
| Independent MLA Dr Kieran Deeney said there could be serious implications for services in future. | |
| "I do believe that we're seeing the beginning of the end of the maternity and gynaecology department at the Erne. | |
| "They don't have a big enough catchment population, and the junior doctors are now deciding themselves by not applying for posts in this hospital," he said | |
| The Western Trust has said it is looking at alternative measures such as filling gaps with locum doctors. | |
| However, maternity services will be maintained at the Erne and emergency cases will be assessed in it's accident and emergency department. | However, maternity services will be maintained at the Erne and emergency cases will be assessed in it's accident and emergency department. |
| Dr Angela McKinney, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at the Erne hospital, said consultants and staff at both hospitals found it "regrettable" that the services had to be moved to Altnagelvin. | |
| "However it is absolutely necessary in order to maintain safe maternity services in Tyrone and Fermanagh," she said. |