One week after stating to the Impartial Reporter that it would not be commenting on the Department of Health's Stroke Consultation, the Western Health and Social Care Trust have released a statement saying they are "very pleased that both the South West Acute and Altnagelvin Hospitals are part of the options being considered."
Six options were put forward by the Department of Health with two of the six securing the long-term future of Stroke Services at SWAH. The other four will lead to its closure.

The Trust statement went on to say:

“By consulting on the configuration of stroke services, Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland is following through on established policy that has been set out in the Bengoa Report and in Delivering Together.  This is about achieving the best possible outcomes for patients and securing sustainable services."

See Thursday's paper for more on this story and the reaction of Union representatives to the possible closure of the Stroke unit at SWAH.