A total of 669 patients were transferred from South West Acute Hospital to other hospitals last year.

Over 200 patients were transferred from general medicine; 183 patients were transferred from cardiology; 119 patients were transferred from general surgery; 67 patients were transferred from geriatric medicine; 25 patients were transferred from paediatrics, 21 patients were transferred from obstetrics; 16 patients were transferred from anaesthetics; four patients were transferred from gynaecology and two patients were transferred from rehabilitation.

The statistics (from January 1 to December 31, 2014) were received by SDLP Health Spokesman Fearghal McKinney in response to an Assembly Question to Health Minister Jim Wells. They do not include the reason for transfer.

Last week, the Belfast MLA, who grew up in Enniskillen, told The Impartial Reporter of his concerns that “people are being driven past the South West Acute Hospital, even in cases of emergency, e.g. to attend coronary care in Altnagelvin.” He said: “Given that it’s a new hospital which was treated with fan-fare and there was expectation in the community that services would be provided consistent with good quality care, it would be concerning that the Trust is now driving people past the hospital.” The 312 bedded acute hospital incorporates full 24-hour accident and emergency, critical care (Intensive Care Unit and High Dependency Unit), Acute Surgical Services, Acute General Medicine, Cardiology with Coronary Care Unit, Acute Stroke Services, Rehabilitation Medicine and Care of the Elderly services. It is also the base for Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Paediatric Services across the southern sector of the Western Trust. The radiology department offers comprehensive services including a new 128 slice spiral CT and new MRI scanner, both with non-invasive cardiac modalities. The acute hospital incorporates fully equipped day case, endoscopy/bronchoscopy suites and five new hospital theatres. The hospital has full 24-hour laboratory services.

The Tyrone County Hospital provides non-acute inpatient rehabilitation, ortho-geriatric care, palliative care and stroke rehabilitation. There is an Urgent Care and Treatment Centre incorporating a cardiology assessment service, a Diabetes Day Resource Centre, and a full range of outpatient facilities. Support facilities include a full radiology department with spiral CT scanning, a dedicated day procedure unit and a purpose built laboratory block.

In the northern sector of the Western Trust, Altnagelvin provides a full range of acute services. It is the largest district hospital in Northern Ireland and has the widest range of specialities outside Belfast City and the Royal Group of Hospitals. There are approximately 450 beds on the site. It is designated as a Cancer Unit linked to the Cancer Centre at Belfast.

A spokeswoman from the Western Trust said: “A total of 20,000 in patient and day case patients have been treated at the South West Acute Hospital from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2014. Approximately 5 per cent of patients were transferred to other hospitals in Northern Ireland for specialised treatment for their needs.

“However, as part of the Regional Acute Network patients are transferred to the South West Acute Hospital from across Northern Ireland for treatment.”