Members of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council have expressed their concerns around the announcement of the temporary withdrawal of emergency surgical services at the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH) during a tense meeting specially convened to discuss the crisis.

Ulster Unionist Councillor Diana Armstrong said: “This is a dark day. We feel marginalised. I’m absolutely disgusted at this decision.

“So many questions unanswered is proof the Western Trust has not been transparent with us. Communication has been woeful.

“I’ve sought to use measured language in recent weeks, but after speaking to clinicians on the realities, I’ve come to the conclusion this decision will cost lives.”

Councillor Sheamus Greene, Sinn Fein, was “taken aback by the almost aggressive” approach of Western Trust Chief Executive, Neil Guckian.

“It’s as if we should be thanking the Trust for this. Do they think people of Fermanagh and Omagh are that easily codded? This is a disaster for the area.

“If consultants are coming, then retiring or resigning, surely that’s down to mismanagement? Are they seriously saying distance doesn’t matter?

“For even 10 kilometres a patient has to travel, there’s a one per cent increase in [risk of] death. Roslea to Derry is an extra 67 kilometres, which is an almost seven per cent increase in death.

‘Ccomplete nonsense’

“They needn’t try to cod me that going to Derry isn’t more life-threatening than going to Enniskillen for the same procedure, for it’s complete nonsense.”

Independent Councillor Josephine Deehan acknowledged it wasn’t easy for the Trust, but stressed: “Briefing is not the same as consultation, and the Council needed to be kept fully appraised of all developments.

“The announcement evoked widespread concern, consternation and anger and one of the reasons is the timing.

“We’ve seen the pressures of emergency departments, the tragedies of elderly patients dying while waiting for admission, and bed-blocking.”

Councillor Alex Baird, Ulster Unionist, said he “shared the anger expressed by others”. He continued: “It’s not good enough to be told this is being worked on. Patients deserve to know what plans have been made.”

Party colleague Councillor Victor Warrington said: “This decision is reprehensible, and no matter the number of explanations given, it’ll not excuse the fact patients are going to lose out as a result of Trust management failure.

“When they vaguely announced an aspiration to make the SWAH an elective centre, it was a pretty amateurish attempt to deflect attention.”

The SDLP’s Councillor Adam Gannon said: “There was denial after denial of no decision made, at least four times last month, but it’s clear it already was.

“Don’t take us for fools. Don’t mislead us. The Trust accuse others of misinformation, but I say they have been the ones misleading.

“There’s been a serious lack of honesty and transparency. An elective care centre is great, but let’s be clear – it’s a total smokescreen to distract from the emergency surgical closure.

“Elective is not our concern tonight, so stop trying to change the subject.”

Independent Councillor Eamon Keenan told members: “People are sick of lies, half-truths and being fed horse manure by faceless decision-makers.”

Speaking directly to the Western Trust’s Chief Executive, Councillor Keenan said: “You are a public servant, which means you are accountable.

“The arrogance in how you have dealt with this has shown you may think you’re above accountability, but there is a grassroots campaign to stop your plans.”

Councillor Donal O’Cofaigh, CCLA, said: “We have a right to access life-saving treatment. Strip all away and it comes down to no emergency surgery in Fermanagh, or any part of Tyrone.

“That’s shocking, and we’re being told we have to accept it. The people of Fermanagh should not be collateral damage. We cannot and will not accept it.”

Councillor John Coyle, SDLP, acknowledged the Trust’s difficulties but noted: “I won’t be apologising for standing up for my constituents. We’re not going to be treated as second-class citizens.

“Staff in two wards have been treated shambolically. The Trust needs to step up and support them.”

Final speaker, Councillor Emmet McAleer, Independent, drew attention to ‘Health Inequality’ which the UK King’s Fund defines as: “Avoidable, unfair and systematic differences in health between different groups of people.”

He queried how the Trust could allow matters to reach this level “of such discrimination between areas, including patients in SWAH and those in Altnagelvin, even more so in comparing rural against urban communities”.

He added: “There should be equality, but it’s never reached the required standard.”

He concluded by quoting Dr. Tom Black of the British Medical Association, who blamed the decision on a failure to develop and implement an effective workforce strategy, which, said Councillor McAleer, is “failure of management”.

With time running out, the Chair, Councillor Barry McElduff, who had already extended the meeting by 30 minutes to allow all who wished to speak the opportunity to do so, drew proceedings to a close.