ENNISKILLEN mother Coleen Lunney will never forget the “invaluable” support she received at the neo natal unit at the former Erne Hospital 10 years ago. 
Her son Callum was born at 32 weeks, weighing 3lbs 14oz. 
“Up until then I had a normal pregnancy with no concerns,” Ms. Lunney told The Impartial Reporter.
“I was rushed to the Erne where they slowed my labour down. When he was born two days later he was taken straight to an incubator where he stayed for 10 days,” she recalled.
Ms. Lunney has spoken out in support of the neo natal unit at South West Acute Hospital after it was revealed that the future of the service is now under threat as £12.5 million savings must be made.
Only four of the Western Health and Social Care Trust’s saving plans have been assessed as having a ‘low impact’ on our services.
The plan contains specific proposals related to a change or withdrawal of service, which are considered to be ‘major and/or controversial’ and will require the Department of Health’s approval to implement, following the outcome of the public consultation. 
“The neo natal unit was invaluable to me as I could be there for all of Callum’s feeds and be there in a matter of minutes in case anything went wrong. 
“He is now 10 years old and without the neo natal services he may not have survived,” she said.