Despite the announcement of the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH) as a new overnight elective hub being portrayed as a good development for the hospital as emergency general surgery is to be suspended, no date has been put in place for when the hub will become operational.

In an interview with The Impartial Reporter last week, Medical Director Brendan Lavery said it would have been preferable for the hub to be running before the removal of emergency surgery; however, the Department of Health is yet to confirm a date this will happen.

A Department of Health spokesperson said: “The Department is working with the Western Trust to develop plans for an Elective Overnight Stay Centre at the SWAH.

“While timelines have yet to be confirmed, the development of an Elective Overnight Stay Centre will help the local population to receive better and quicker planned surgical care, and also help the whole region.

“It is expected to increase the number of operations and patients at the SWAH.

“An Elective Overnight Stay Centre carrying out general surgery procedures will ensure a general surgical presence that can provide support to other specialties,” they added.