Western Trust helps keep local GP surgeries open in Tyrone and Fermanagh

THE Western Health and Social Care Trust has intervened and taken action to support several GP practices in Fermanagh and West Tyrone that were at risk of closing and patients being dispersed to other GP Practices, following engagement with the Department of Health.

During a visit to Fintona GP Practice, Dr Maura O’Neill, Director of Community and Older People’s Services at the Western Trust, said the Trust was pleased to take quick action to make sure patientscould still access care. This Trust support has helped to keep GP services running in Fintona, Dromore and Trillick, and Brookeborough and Tempo, which may have closed down otherwise.

Dr O’Neill explained: “Almost 22,000 patients in this area could have dispersed to other GP Practices, meaning no local GP Practice access for those patients, if the Trust hadn’t stepped in. Although we normally provide secondary care, our teams worked hard to overcome many challenges to help sustain these primary care services. I want to thank all our staff for their dedication over the past few years. We have worked closely with the Department of Health, the South West GP Federation, and other partners to make sure these vital GP services continue — and to help us build and improve them for the people of Tyrone and Fermanagh.”

Dr Brian Sweeney, Lead GP at Fintona Practice, also praised the Western Trust’s intervention. He described how many GP practices, both in rural and urban areas, have faced serious difficulties in recruiting new doctors due to retirements and staff moving on.

“By late 2023, our practice was no longer sustainable. We were extremely fortunate that the

Western Trust stepped in to take over the running of the practice and to support our staff — all

of whom have been able to keep their jobs. We’re very grateful for that help and support.

Thanks to the Trust, we’ve also been able to introduce new services for local patients, such as a

women’s health clinic led by Dr Kelly Maguire, which has been very successful, and a joint

injection and orthopaedic clinic now running regularly in Fintona. Without the Western Trust’s

support, the practice would not have been able to continue.”

Dr O’Neill continued: “I want to thank the GPs who have worked closely with us through this very challenging process. The level of cooperation and commitment from everyone involved has been vital in ensuring that people across Tyrone and Fermanagh continue to have access to GP services. The Trust have also broken new ground in appointing eight new salaried GPs to the Practices in the Fermanagh and Omagh area. This is significant in that we now have permanent GPs in these previously vulnerable practices, thus providing continuity of care to the patients in these areas.”

Head of General Medical Services at the Department of Health Dr Margaret O’Brien added;

“Ensuring high quality GP services are available to everyone across the region is a key priority for the Department, and it commends the Western Trust for stepping in as contractor for these GP Practices ensuring the patients of these practices continue to have local access.

“The Department is aware GPs are experiencing intense pressures and it is proving difficult to recruit independent GP contractors across Northern Ireland particularly in rural areas.

“The Department of Health will continue to work closely with GP practices across the region and the public to minimise the impact on local communities of any future GP changes and ensure population needs are met.

The Western Trust is currently planning work with all relevant partners and stakeholders to develop a shared understanding of local health and care needs, and to listen to the community on the future of healthcare in Fermanagh and West Tyrone. This follows the Health Minister’s request to begin the process of producing a vision plan, emphasising how the South West Acute Hospital will meet the health needs of its current and future population in the area. This programme of visioning work for ‘Future Health and Care Services in Fermanagh and West Tyrone’ will see a clear and open focus on a whole-system view, spanning hospital, community and primary care with the South West Acute Hospital as an integral part of that vision. The earlier Fermanagh and West Tyrone Pathfinder project provided valuable insights into local needs and priorities and particularly the importance of community, mental health, and primary care services. These areas will continue to be important in the Trust’s long-term planning.