NI minister urged to act on hospital fears

The British government faced new demands tonight to establish a timetable for developing hospital services in the west of Northern Ireland.

After talks with Health Minister Shaun Woodward at Stormont, Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd urged him to end uncertainty facing Fermanagh and Tyrone.

With Enniskillen set to be denied comprehensive cover as accident and emergency, and surgery facilities due to be sited at a new hospital to the north of the town, concern has grown.

Mr O’Dowd, the party’s health spokesman, declared: “We wouldn’t share Shaun Woodward’s vision on the future.

“Of particular importance is the Minister and the Department’s intentions regarding the future of accessible health service provision for people living west of the Bann.

“We need to see firm commitments and a clear timetable to the development of hospital services.”

The Upper Bann MLA added: “Mr Woodward also has to understand the possible implications of the proposed withdrawal of funding for hospitals, especially where staff shortages and erosion of services is undermining performance, if they fail to meet his new targets.”