Local people disappointed with 'Reshaping Stroke Services' pre-consultaion

by Gráinne Connolly

Last Wednesday (9th August), the Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) held a 're-shaping stroke services' pre-consultation in Omagh. 

They gave a presentation on the background of the pre-consultation, along with information on present services, why they need to change and the 7 proposals. 

A spokesperson for the Fermanagh Stroke Support Group said it was all "very disappointing". 

In a statement they said: 

"despite Enniskillen being the only other hospital, SWAH, with an A grade the same as the RVH (Royal Victoria Hospital), so many of the comments of support seemed to be dismissed. 

"Approximately 90 attendees, made up of nurses, consultants, elected reps, survivors of strokes and their families plus just the concerned members of the public, gathered together in support of the Stroke Service in Swah."

Those who attended also highlighted the difficulties of those, especially in the border areas who would have so far to travel if showing signs of a stroke. 

The spokesperson went on: 

"Time is of the essence and Swah as grade A, needs to be invested in and developed into Hyperacute stroke care unit."

The Northern Ireland Stroke unit results for December 2016-March 2017, showed that SWAH in Enniskillen met the highest standards for almost all of their patients and proved to have better stroke services than RVH.

"The people of Fermanagh and Tyrone made it clear today that they would accept NOTHING less!!

"It did not go unnoticed that, although this meeting was arranged by the HSCB for stroke services in the WHSCT, that there was NO service user or family member from the Derry/Strabame area!!!

"Nurses who work in this field in the SWAH were left feeling very concerned about what will happen to our first class service.

"People left feeling angry, disappointed and felt that their views had not been taken on board."

The group is now calling on everyone to support and engage in meetings that they will be holding in the future, as well as other ways to actively campaign to protect the stroke unit in SWAH. 

"We need to work together to ensure that we demonstrate our path of full resistance and to fight to ensure that there is FULL and proper consultation at all stages and we will demand that the unit at the SWAH is retained and enhanced."

The Fermanagh Stroke Support Group are holding a meeting this evening for their 'CORE GROUP' and are encouraging people to attend: 

Q Radio also contacted the HSCB about the pre-consultation and what sort of feedback they had received.

They were unaware of any "disappointment" that may have been a result of the meeting, however said that all feedback was recorded. 

A statement was released on behalf of the HSCB: 

"At the Western LCG meeting on 9 August, as part of this pre-consultation phase, a presentation on the future of stroke services and an engagement session took place. 

"This facilitated discussion and debate on how best to enhance stroke care. 

"The feedback recorded at this event will contribute to the development of the full public consultation which is due to commence in the autumn."

"It is important to note that no decisions have been taken on any services. 

"This process at present is about gathering a broad consensus for the key proposals for full consultation before we start to look at how and where services will be provided from in the future."

Te future public meetings in the Western Trust area are as follows: 

• 4 September 2017 at 6.30pm at the Everglade Hotel, Derry
   
• 11 September 2017 at 6.30pm at the Killyhevlin Hotel, Enniskillen