The Fermanagh Stroke Support Group are planning a large public meeting in Enniskillen before the end of the public consultation into stroke services concludes on July 18.

The Department of Health are due to be invited to the event according the the Fermanagh Stroke Support Group in an effort, they say, to demonstrate public opinion within the area to the consultation.

The Department of Health’s consultation includes six options on the future of stroke services in Northern Ireland with four of the six options resulting in the closure of the stroke unit at South West Acute Hospital.

In 2017 during a pre consultation into stroke services a crowd of over 600 people attend an event in the Killyhevlin. At the time a representative of the Public Health Agency attended the event stating that they wanted to “listen to the public”.

In the meantime, the Fermanagh Stroke Support Group’s doors continue to remain open to the public as they urge as many people as possible to contribute to the ongoing consultation.

“We have had 100’s of people through the doors so far and more and more are coming every day. But we want to stress that we need more people to come in and have their say on the future,” Stevie McAloon, a spokesperson for the group stated.

To date he support group have been visiting towns and villages around the area in order to offer advice and guidance to the public. The following meetings are planned for the coming weeks:

Maguiresbridge St Mary’s Hall: May 25 11am - 2pm

Lisnaskea Library: May 30 10:30am - 2pm

Mahons Hotel Irvinestown: May 30, 6:00pm - 9:00pm

Teemore Community Hall: June 7 7:30pm - 9:30pm

The Fermanagh Stroke Support Group’s premises is located on Cross Street, opposite the Buttermarket, in Enniskillen and will be open to the public from 11am to 3:00pm until the end of the consultation period, with the exception of Tuesday and Sunday each week.

“We can’t stress enough how important it is for people to contribute to the consultation,” Mr McAloon stated before concluding:

“You can never have enough through the doors.”