Former Health Minister Robin Swann was in Fermanagh last week on the campaign trail with his former Special Adviser, Mark Ovens, with Mr. Swann voicing his concerns over ongoing issues at the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH).

Mr. Ovens and Mr. Swann were in Bellanaleck engaging with households as well as visiting a number of farms.

Mr. Swann said people were concerned about the future of public services, including those at the SWAH, and called the absence of a functioning Executive “shameful”.

Speaking following his walkabout with Mr. Ovens, Mr. Swann said: “It’s difficult to think of a word that truly sums up the ongoing absence of an Executive, so I’ll just call it shameful.

“It’s shameful that as a direct result of the ongoing political impasse, and the associated chaos in our public finances, that patients and staff are being forced to feel the brunt of it.

“With no Minister at the top of the Department of Health locally, [healthcare] workers are being robbed of a pay deal that their counterparts in England have already secured.”

Mr. Swann continued: “Whilst there was a detailed plan in place to tackle waiting times, and a previous political commitment from all parties to deliver it, instead of the previous improvements continuing to be made, waiting times are once again spiralling.

“That’s why the UUP firmly believe the best interests of everyone locally would be best served by the immediate restoration of the Executive, and a fully functioning Assembly – that was a view shared by many people in Bellanaleck as well.

“People in the village were genuinely concerned for what the coming weeks and months hold for our most important public services.

“As well as that, there were real concerns about how services are being delivered and maintained at the SWAH.

“It’s a brilliant hospital, with some of the best and most modern facilities of anywhere in Northern Ireland, so I’ve been concerned too with what has been happening with it over recent months.”

Mr. Swann said he was keen to visit Fermanagh ahead of the elections, and believes Mr. Ovens would be a benefit on Fermanagh and Omagh District Council.

“It’s a county I know very well, and during my time as Minister of Health I got to visit many fantastic groups locally.

“Whilst as a result of the pandemic there were many difficult days as Minister, with Mark [his Special Adviser to the then Minister] and a time of very committed health workers, we were able to get through the biggest challenge our health service had ever experienced – but huge pressures and challenges remain.

“With all his experience, as well as being a local young family man, I believe Mark Ovens would be exactly the sort of representative that Fermanagh and Omagh Council would really benefit from.

“So I would wholeheartedly endorse Mark, along with each of the other local UUP candidates, in next Thursday’s election,” he added.