Latest News

Health Minister Edwin Poots today officially opened Avalon House in Omagh, a new short break facility for children with disabilities, autism and complex needs.

Foster carers and social workers from the five Health and Social CareTrusts will take to the roads in a novelty fire engine this Foster Care Fortnight (14-27 May 2012) to emphasise how a regional shortage of foster carers is reaching emergency levels.

Acting FAST is critical when you suspect someone is having a stroke. This is the message from the Western Trust as we urge the public to be aware of the common signs associated with the illness.

The Western Trust and Belfast Trust have helped to bring the Annual Child and Adolescent Learning Disability Psychiatric Network (CALDPN) conference to Northern Ireland for the first time.

The conference took place on 10 -11 May 2012, in Riddell Hall in Belfast with over 70 clinical experts attending from across the United Kingdom - all in agreement that children with learning disability need access to specialist services.

The Western Trust is offering Me Unltd's award winning 8 week ‘It’s All About Me’ personal development programme for carers of individuals with of Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Starting in May, the programme will focus on carers health and wellbeing following the "Me Time" group events programme.

Four simple words ‘Clean Hands - Safe Hands’ is the message from the Western Trust today, 5 May 2012, as a new initiative is unveiled at Altnagelvin hospital to encourage staff, patients and visitors to practice good hand hygiene.

More foster families are urgently needed to provide safe, stable and nurturing homes for vulnerable children and young people across Northern Ireland.

The Western Trust today (2 May 2012) welcomed the publication of the Phase Two of RQIA Independent Review of Reporting Arrangements for Radiological Investigations report.

With only 50 days to go to the opening of the new South West Acute Hospital on 21 June 2012 Western Trust staff helped launch 50 helium balloons outside the main entrance to the Erne Hospital in celebration.

Brain injuries are increasing each year across Northern Ireland. It can happen in seconds but the effects last a lifetime. In response to this, the Western Trust is running local events during Action for Brain Injury Week (14 May -  20 May 2012), a week set aside for brain injury awareness.

The Western Trust’s annual Remembrance Service in memory of babies who have died following a miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal and infant deaths will be held this year on Sunday 13 May 2012 at 3pm and will take place at the MDEC Building in the large lecture theatre at Altnagelvin Area Hospital.

The Western Trust can confirm that a number of residents at Seymour Gardens Care Home, Londonderry are currently being treated for flu-like illness. The Trust has informed the families of the residents and is discouraging all visiting at this stage.

Foster carers from across the Western Trust area have been praised for their invaluable service to children and young people during a Celebration for Foster Carers Awards Ceremony.

Having your say when it comes to your healthcare is important to the future planning and delivery of local healthcare services. This was the message this week at the launch of the Western Trust’s three year Personal and Public Involvement (PPI) Strategy.

A service of thanksgiving and celebration organised by the Hospital Chaplaincy Team and Western Trust to mark the life of the Erne Hospital was held on Sunday 22 April 2012. The service provided an opportunity to reflect on the commitment and dedication of staff past and present in providing care to patients and their relatives over the past fifty years.

The Western Trust's Cardiac Assessment Unit (CAU) in Tyrone County Hospital, Omagh has received a substantial donation of two beside heart monitors from Marks and Spencer Omagh store in affiliation with The Children’s Heartbeat Trust.

The Trust has confirmed that plans remain on track for the opening of the new South West Acute Hospital on the 21 June 2012. To mark this significant event, we have launched a public information guide on the new South West Acute Hospital. Nearly 64,000 residential homes and businesses in the Fermanagh and Tyrone areas will receive a copy of the guide this week.

The Trust is marking Mental Health Action Week 2012 (4 - 10 April 2012), through the official launch of the ‘Look after Your Mental Health’ poster and pen.

The messages in the resources remind us that we all need to take a moment to think about our own mental health and take active steps to nurture our mental health.

The Western Trust marked World Autism Day this year by holding an art competition to showcase the creativity of young people with autism and related conditions. The competition project, ‘my special interest’, was open to children and young people aged three to 19 living in the Western Trust area, who are formally diagnosed with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Western Trust’s commitment to delivering a high quality service to patients is highlighted this week with the arrival of a new £800,000 MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Scanner at the new South West Acute Hospital.

Young people from Derry have come together to showcase their creative skills by designing and painting a mural to mark World Autism Awareness Day. It is hoped that the colourful and vibrant mural, which will be attached to the Derry Corner, will help increase local awareness of Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD).

Seeing at first hand models of health and social care that put individuals and families first was a key aspect of a visit to Londonderry made today by Health Minister Edwin Poots.

During his visit Minister Poots saw the site of the next phase of the Altnagelvin re-development plan. Phase 5.1 will include six new 24 single bedded wards to replace outdated wards in the Tower block.

Social Development Minister, Nelson McCausland and Health Minister, Edwin Poots have officially opened a new residential unit in Londonderry for adults with a learning disability.

The £3.3m Ralphs Close scheme provides purpose built accommodation for 16 Western Trust patients who previously lived in Mourne House, Stradreagh Hospital.  The closure of Mourne House brought an end to the many years of care of people with a learning disability within Stradreagh Hospital.

The quality and high standard of education provided for medical students at the Western Trust has been recognised with the launch of Queen’s University Teaching Status at the Erne Hospital, Enniskillen.

Service users and carers have been offered a greater say on the future provision of Primary Care and Older Peoples Services across the Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) area through a series of service user workshops held in Londonderry, Tyrone and Fermanagh.

This year the Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) are encouraging people to “take the leap” and break the habit on Non Smoking Day.

The Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) has this week been involved in an innovative way of educating staff about adult safeguarding through the Western Local Adult Safeguarding Partnership (LASP).

With only 100 days to go excitement is building to the opening of the new £276m South West Acute Hospital on 21 June 2012.

The Western Trust has announced the recent appointment of Una Cardin as Radiotherapy Unit Manager. Una who has been working in Cancer Services in the West most of her career, and is a Foyle area local, is to head up the work on the future development of the new £50 million Radiotherapy Unit at Altnagelvin Hospital, which is to be complete by 2016.

The Western Health and Social Care Trust’s (Western Trust) service for helping smokers to quit has enjoyed success for a second year running at the Northern Ireland Healthcare Awards.

The Western Health and Social Care Trust in partnership with Co-operation and Working Together (CAWT) have recently launched a new clinic service for those women with diabetes that are planning a pregnancy. The clinic service is part of a cross border diabetes project funded under the European Union’s INTERREG IVA programme.

The Western Trust today announced that Fox Contracts (Omagh) has successfully secured a major contract to widen the Donaghanie Road, and create the new entrance layout to the facility, as part of the Omagh Hospital Complex enabling works programme. 

Clients from Benbradagh Day Centre, Limavady are looking forward to participating in a Charity Fashion Show this coming weekend.  The show is being hosted by BeCattura, a new exciting business venture created by local girls Bronagh Deehan and Mary Mc Quillan.  It will take place at the Tower Hotel, Londonderry this Saturday evening (25 February) at 8pm.

The Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) in partnership with the Public Health Agency (PHA) this week has firmly marked infant mental health as one of its top priorities at a series of seminars and marks its intention to ensure all infants have the best possible start in life.

The Western Health and Social Care Trust’s Student Enrichment Programme has reached the finals of the Impact2012 Youth, Sustainability and Environmental Awards .

You can vote for the programme by texting "IMPACT2012 WHSCT" to 66101.

Music will soon be benefiting patients and clients across of a number of Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) wards and facilities and brightening up their day.

FRESH (food, relaxation, exercise, self-esteem and health) is a 12 week healthy lifestyle programme delivered by the Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) in partnership with Omagh District Council and is funded by the Public Health Agency (PHA).

Today’s announcement by the Northern Ireland Executive will significantly benefit patients accessing health and social care services in the Western Health and Social Care Trust area. 

The Breast Screening Unit at Altnagelvin Area Hospital is celebrating the kind donation of 40 pieces of beautiful art. The artwork was gifted by collaboration of artists and has taken pride of place along the walls and corridors at the screening unit, providing a more relaxing and warm environment for the women who use the service.

Enniskillen Neighbourhood Renewal in partnership with Omagh Neighbourhood Renewal recently hosted a ‘Healthy Heart’ Valentine's Day tea dance. The event was supported by the Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) and funded through the Department for Social Development’s Neighbourhood Renewal Investment Fund.

A ‘Hope and Healing’ conference for people bereaved by suicide and for those who support people bereaved by suicide will take place on Saturday 18 February 2012 at the Lough Erne Hotel, Enniskillen.

The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland has given its approval to the Western Health and Social Care Trust’s (Western Trust) Equality Scheme which details how the Trust promotes equality of opportunity and good relations.

As a precautionary measure, a water sampling and tap replacement programme is underway in all neonatal units in Northern Ireland. PHA is publishing water sample results for all Trusts as and when confirmed.  Water sample results for the Western Trust show that Pseudomonas has been detected in a small number of water outlets in the neonatal unit at Altnagelvin. As in all neonatal units, including Altnagelvin, steps had already been taken to ensure that babies are not coming into contact with the water supply.

Women and men faced with the demands of caring for a loved one do not usually have the time, energy or opportunity to think about themselves. But over the past year and a half a range of unique personal development programmes funded by the Public Health Agency (PHA) in conjunction with the Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust), has turned this on its head for 106 female carers and 30 male carers from Fermanagh, Omagh, Strabane and Derry/Londonderry.

Health Minister Edwin Poots today inspected the ongoing construction of Northern Ireland’s new state-of-the-art hospital and saw for himself how patient care will be delivered using the very latest technology.

Health Minister, Edwin Poots today on his first visit to the new South West Acute Hospital, attended a job fair hosted by the Western Health and Social Care Trust in partnership with the Department of Employment and Learning where 100 new jobs are on offer in the new hospital which opens in June 2012. 

The Trust confirms, as it did in December 2011, that there was infection caused by pseudomonas in early December 2011 at Altnagelvin Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

The introduction of the Wet Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) service at Tyrone County Hospital is proving to be a real success.  This service which was expanded by the Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) to the Tyrone County Hospital site commenced in October 2011 and is an ophthalmology service which helps to prevent blindness in older people.

The Western Trust have brought some welcome news to the local economy this month with the announcement that approximately 100 new Support Services jobs will be created at the new acute hospital for the South West, as the opening date of 22 June 2012 draws nearer.

The Western Trust has appointed, Dr Paul McGlinchey as the Clinical Lead for the new Omagh Hospital.  Dr McGlinchey, is a native of Omagh and a Consultant Cardiologist with the Western Trust.

The Western Health and Social Care Trust have recently enjoyed huge success at the Institute of Healthcare Management’s annual Quality Awards Ceremony, held in the Slieve Donard Hotel, Co. Down. The awards recognise those healthcare professionals that have actively enhanced or improved health and care management standards.

Background: Married/Children/Living/Occupation: What’s your professional background? What’s your role within the Western Trust?

When I was approached to share my role with the readers I thought who on earth wants to know about me, then I thought well I’ll get to share information on Primary Care and Older People’s services in the Western Trust. I am married to Gordon, happily, and for a long time, we have one daughter and three sons, all living in Scotland/England since they went to university, were employed and met their partners over there so needless to say I miss them ‘a lot’. We also have a granddaughter Emily who is our little star.

Western Trust Chairman Gerard Guckian and Chief Executive Elaine Way welcomed Derry City Council Mayor Alderman Maurice Devenney to Altnagelvin Hospital today.  The Mayor visited a number of hospital wards including Ward 46 Postnatal and met with staff and patients.

‘A single organ donor can save up to five lives’ was the key message at the launch of an organ donation campaign at Altnagelvin Hospital.

Children and young people in the Children’s Ward (6 & 16) in Altnagelvin Hospital recently welcomed a unique visit from the man of the moment, Santa Claus. Santa took time out of his busy schedule to talk to the children via video link live from the North Pole and sent Mrs Claus and his elves to the hospital to help give out the presents on his behalf.

The Northwest Bereaved by Suicide Support Group and Roe Valley Bereaved by Suicide Group are holding their annual ‘Memory Tree of Lights’ ceremonies. These events are held to remember loved ones lost to suicide and to support family and friends during the holiday season, which can be an especially difficult time.

Two eating disorders carers support groups have been established in the Western Trust area. The groups will provide information and support to families and carers of people with an eating disorder and will provide an opportunity to give and receive support from others with similar experiences.

The Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) and Trade Union Side organisations recognise the need for safe service provision during the industrial action planned for Wednesday 30 November 2011.

The British Lung Foundation’s (BLF) local lung support group, Breathe Easy Derry nominated the Respiratory Team at the Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) for the ‘Outstanding Healthcare in the Community’ Breath of Fresh Air award 2011.

The commitment of Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) staff to patients and clients has been celebrated at a special staff awards ceremony.

Joe Lusby, Western Trust Deputy Chief Executive welcomed the Regulation Quality and Improvement Authority (RQIA) Board members to view progress at the new hospital for the South West during a visit to the site last week.  RQIA Board members were taken on a tour of the new state of the art hospital which will open in June 2012.

With only six months to go until Northern Ireland Health Group complete the construction of the new £276million acute hospital and the facilities are really taking shape.  The room validation process has just started and the first wards at the hospital are very near completion.

The Western Health and Social Care Trust today welcomed the Health Minister, Edwin Poots to Londonderry to launch a £500,000 project designed to improve health and well being in some of the most deprived areas of the North West.

New technologies and innovative research are key to the development of our health sector, Health Minister Edwin Poots has said.

The Health Minister today came face to face with some of the mums and their babies being supported by a new initiative being piloted in the Western Health and Social Care Trust aimed at young vulnerable parents

The Western Health and Social Care Trust’s Department of Surgery held a cross border workshop recently to showcase the latest techniques used to treat varicose veins. The workshop held in Enniskillen, was attended by vascular surgeons and clinical staff from the Western Trust, the Southern Trust and the HSE. The event was co-ordinated by the Co-operation and Working Together (CAWT) Acute Hospitals project, which is utilising European Union’s INTERREG IVA funding to progress a number of cross border acute hospital services along the entire border region.

The Western Trust is supporting National Adoption Week 2011 (31 October to 6 November) to encourage people from all walks of life to come forward and find out more about the adoption process. This year the Trust is highlighting the needs of children who often wait the longest for adoption.

Families of patients who have self-harmed or had suicidal thoughts are getting advice on they can support their relative through the traumatic experience. The advice is in a new support booklet for families published by the Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) in association with the Public Health Agency (PHA).

A total of 42 patients have been moved from wards on the Western Trust’s Tyrone and Fermanagh Hospital site in Omagh as a precautionary measure, due to the possibility of flooding.

The Western Trust Human Milk Bank is urgently asking more new mums to donate breast milk as stocks are getting low at one of the busiest times of the year for the unit. 

The Western Trust in association with the Public Health Agency (PHA) and Fermanagh District Policing Partnership recently hosted a Long Term Conditions Information Day at the Killyhevlin Hotel, Enniskillen.

Two new initiatives have been launched by the Health and Social Care Board's Regional Autistic Spectrum Disorder Network (RASDN) to improve information and services for parents, carers and users of autism services

Expectant mothers planning to deliver at Altnagelvin Hospital can now avail of a new virtual tour of the hospital’s maternity suite. The Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) has developed and released an informative DVD to give parents a preview of the maternity facilities before the birth of their baby.

A local foster carer has lent her support to an appeal from the Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) which is currently seeking foster carers.

The New Acute Hospital remains on track for construction completion in May 2012 and opening its doors to patients on the 22 June 2012.

The Western Trust together with Sure Start are delighted with the success of The ‘Milkey Way’ Breastfeeding Support Group in Lisanelly and Strathroy Sure Start, Omagh.

The Western Trust, in association with the Public Health Agency (PHA), have published a comprehensive leaflet for people needing information about mental health services available in the Western Trust area. The Trust’s Adult and Childrens’ Mental Health Services launched the ‘Get Help for the Person’ leaflet in support of World Mental Health Day, 10 October 2011.

The £2million Mulhern Close scheme provides purpose built accommodation for Western Trust patients who resided in long stay learning disability hospitals across Northern Ireland

The Western Trust and UNISON recognise the need for safe service provision during the industrial action planned for Wednesday 5 October 2011.

An Omagh foster carer has lent his support to an appeal from the Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) which is urgently seeking foster carers.

C-TRIC, Northern Ireland’s Healthcare Innovation hub  based at Altnagelvin Hospital, is working in close collaboration with Northern Ireland start up, Future Healthcare NI,  to improve clinical and operational communication within healthcare.

The Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) has swept the boards at a major awards ceremony recognising excellence in cleaning in health trust facilities.

Representatives from the Western Trust attended the Patient and Client Council’s western area roadshow, held in the Clinton Centre, Enniskillen on Tuesday 14 September. Joe Lusby, Deputy Chief Executive of the Western Trust was also part of the panel for the evening.

A team of nurses from the Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) has won the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Northern Ireland Leadership Challenge for the second year running.

The Western Health and Social Care Trust is asking for the cooperation of the public with increased infection control measures and is requesting people not to visit patients in Altnagelvin Hospital if they have been feeling unwell themselves.

The Western Health and Social Care Trust is asking for the cooperation of the public with increased infection control measures and is requesting people not to visit patients in Altnagelvin Hospital if they have been feeling unwell themselves.

Western Health and Social Care Trust Chief Executive, Elaine Way visited the site of the Western Trust’s new £10.4m state-of-the-art Mental Health Crisis Unit on the Gransha site, Londonderry.  Construction of the new facility started in January 2011 and is expected to be completed in July 2012.

Members of the public are invited to a meeting on Tuesday 20 September, 7.30pm, in the Roe Valley Arts & Cultural Centre, Limavady to discuss plans for setting up a support group for those bereaved by suicide in the Limavady Borough area.

The Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) together with Sure Start are inviting mums and mums-to-be to join a new Breastfeeding Support Group at Lisanelly and Strathroy Sure Start, Strathroy, Omagh.

10 September is World Suicide Prevention Day, and is an opportunity to highlight this important issue. In 2010, 313 deaths in Northern Ireland were registered as suicide, and on average someone in the world takes their own life every 40 seconds.

A new regional uniform being rolled out across Northern Ireland, including the Western Health and Social Care Trust, will make it easier for the public to identify who they are interacting with in healthcare settings such as hospitals.

The Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) has launched an information leaflet on Foetal Alcohol Syndrome aimed at increasing support for foster carers who provide substitute care for children. The leaflet, which was developed in association with the local Foetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder Support Group for Foster Carers, was launched this week to mark World Foetal Alcohol Syndrome Day on Friday 9 September.

The Western Health and Social Care Trust is leading on a number of planned events to mark World Suicide Prevention Day, Saturday 10 September and World Mental Health Day on Monday 10 October.

People in the North West suffering from severe chest illnesses are being treated in a newly refurbished unit – thanks to a Londonderry woman who bequeathed nearly £50,000 in her will.

Children and young people with disabilities and their families have been benefitting from a new respite centre thanks to a £2.2million investment by the Western Trust.

 A range of stimulating summer activity programmes for children and young people with Autism Spectrum Disorder is currently being rolled out in the Western  Trust area. Funding from the European Union’s INTERREG IVA programme, secured by the Co-operation and Working Together (CAWT) cross border partnership, is enabling the Western Trust to provide an extensive programme of more than 200 family support activity placements across the Trust area during the Summer.

JohnPaul McGinley is the Hospital Services Manager at Altnagelvin Area Hospital. John Paul has been working with the Trust since 2007 and worked in Belfast, London and Glasgow previously.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) and the Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) are delighted to highlight the ongoing success of the first Family Nurse Partnership (FNP) programme in Northern Ireland.

Health Minister Edwin Poots today announced £75million for the first phase of a new local hospital in Omagh.

 In making this announcement during a visit to Omagh today, Mr Poots said: “I can confirm that I have made £75million available for the first phase of the new hospital in Omagh. This new facility will include a Health and Care centre with GP accommodation and will have intermediate care beds, a renal dialysis unit and a new Central Sterile Supplies Department.

The Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) Health Improvement Department is encouraging people to pull on their walking boots or trainers and ‘Walk for Health’.

A range of stimulating summer activity programmes for children and young people with Autistic Spectrum Disorder is currently being rolled out in the Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) area

Expectant mums in the Strabane area are benefitting from a programme of activities promoting fitness during pregnancy organised by the Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) and funded by SureStart.

Vomiting virus

A ward at Altnagelvin Hospital has been temporarily closed to admissions due to an increase of vomiting and diarrhoea among patients.  

The Western Trust has thanked the Friends of Altnagelvin Hospital for their ongoing support and fundraising efforts

Biomnis Ireland and Western Health and Social Care Trust sign agreement

Biomnis Ireland, the largest private provider of medical testing and specialised medical pathology in the country

and the Western Health and Social Care Trust in Northern Ireland have signed a two-year agreement to provide an accredited and sustainable cervical smear testing service on the island of Ireland.  This innovative collaboration between public and private sectors represents a significant development in the Irish pathology sector, particularly in the provision of indigenous cytology services.

People with memory problems are being encouraged to avail of support provided by the Western Health and Social Care Trust including the Trust’s Memory Assessment Service.

Those with an interest in memory problems, including Western Trust staff, clients, carers and relatives saw at first hand the latest technology designed to enhance the lives of people with memory problems when the Brain Bus visited Omagh recently

The Western Trust has launched a health and wellbeing strategy focusing on the needs of staff. The Trust aims to create an environment in which the promotion of health and wellbeing is central. It will continue to implement policies and practices which are designed to address staff needs, promote the physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of staff and provide a supportive work environment.

EU Commissioner for Regional Policy Johannes Hahn had the opportunity to hear at first hand from the cross border health partnership, Co-operation and Working Together (CAWT), about the tremendous strides being made in cross border health and social care services, when opening the ‘Peace Bridge’ in Derry-Londonderry recently. A delegation from CAWT met the EU Commissioner in the city to brief him on the 12 cross border health and social care services underway through CAWT’s ‘Putting Patients, Clients and Families First’ initiative, which has received £24 million sterling / €30 million euros from the EU INTERREG IVA programme.

The Chairman of the Western Trust personally thanked Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD for his Government's commitment to the radiotherapy project at Altnagelvin when Mr Kenny visited the site of the new unit at the weekend.

A senior doctor in the Western Trust's Accident and Emergency Department is calling for all children of all ages to play safe this summer.

Brian McFetridge is the Trust’s Nurse Consultant in Critical Care with responsibilities Trust wide. He has been working in the Trust since summer 2009. 

Carers from Tyrone and Fermanagh took time out at a special event in Lusty Beg, Fermanagh, as part of Carers Week 2011 thanks to the Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust).

The Brain Bus is coming to Omagh Leisure Centre car park on 29 June 2011 from 11am-3pm to demonstrate therapeutic recreation for people with memory impairment in the Western Trust area.

Carers took time out at a special event in the City Hotel, Londonderry, as part of Carers Week 2011 thanks to the Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust). Carers Week ran from 13 June to 19 June and had the theme ‘The True Face of Carers’.

The Western Trust sees domiciliary care as an essential means of enabling people to remain in their own homes for as long as possible.

The work of a Western Health and Social Care Trust nurse with patients with rectal cancer has been recognised at the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Nurse of the Year Awards.

The Western Trust is inviting mums, mums-to-be and local school children to a Breastfeeding morning at Saint Columbs Park House on Tuesday 21 June 2011 between 10am an 1pm. The event, organised by the Trust to mark National Breastfeeding Awareness Week, aims to promote the importance of breastfeeding as the best possible way to feed a baby and provide a networking opportunity for those interested and involved in breastfeeding. 

Diabetes is on the increase in Northern Ireland, as it is worldwide. In the Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) area during 2009/10 there were 11,567 people living with diabetes. This reflects a 7% increase from the number of people registered during 2008/09 - the largest increase in Northern Ireland in the number of people diagnosed with diabetes last year.

People living with diabetes and those with an interest in the condition are being encouraged to attend two events being held by the Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) to mark Diabetes Week - 12-18 June 2011.

A local foster carer is encouraging others to take up the rewarding challenge of opening their homes to children by fostering. Joan McGerrigle was among carers who attended an event recently as part of Fostering Fortnight to highlight the importance of fostering.

The Trust will be running and supporting a number of staff and public events to mark National Men’s Health Week between the 13 and 17 June.

A local foster carer is encouraging others to take the opportunity to make a difference through opening their homes to children. Karen Sharkey was among carers who attended an event recently as part of Fostering Fortnight to highlight the importance of fostering.

Patients have been getting hands on help from senior healthcare managers at Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) hospitals. A number of directors took time to volunteer as mealtime friends and general ward helpers at Altnagelvin, Tyrone County and Erne hospitals to mark national Volunteers’ Week, 1 to 7 June.

The Western Trust has launched its Infant Mental Health Strategy. The new strategy focuses on early childhood mental and emotional wellbeing as well as the importance of a supportive environment from pregnancy onwards

A clinician at Altnagelvin Hospital has this week praised the success of the Bowel Cancer Screening programme which has been running in the Western Trust area for the last year.

The Western Trust in partnership with the Western Education and Library Board(WELB) is participating in the international Roots of Empathy programme. The initiative is funded by the Public Health Agency (PHA) and was launched by its founder Mary Gordon on Monday 23 May in the ARC Healthy Living Centre, Irvinestown.

Lisnamallard Industries is hosting its annual Summer Open Day on Thursday 2 June 2011, from 10am to 4pm to showcase their summer range of crafts and horticultural goods for sale including a selection of bedding plants, planters, filled garden containers, hanging baskets and window boxes.

Health Minister Edwin Poots’ decision to proceed with the Radiotherapy Unit at Altnagelvin Hospital was greeted by understandable celebration in the Western Trust.

The quality of education provided for medical students at the Western Trust’s  Altnagelvin Hospital has been recognised with the award of University Teaching Status for the hospital.

Support for people in workplaces who are affected by domestic violence and abuse is being highlighted across the Western Trust area.

Health Minister, Edwin Poots MLA visited Altnagelvin Hospital in Londonderry today to view the facilities and meet with staff and patient.

Nursing and midwifery staff across the Western Trust, including staff at Waterside, Erne and Tyrone County Hospitals, marked the contribution the professions make to quality patient care on International Nurses Day 12 May 2011.

Western Health and Social Care Trust has won this year's CHKS Patient Safety Award - part of the CHKS Top Hospitals programme 2011. The programme, which is now in its eleventh year, celebrates excellence in the areas of patient safety, quality of care and data quality.

The Western Trust is raising public awareness of venous thromboembolism (VTE) during this year’s National Thrombosis week 9th – 13th May 2011

The Western Trust annual Remembrance Service in memory of babies who have died following a miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death and infant death will be held this year on Sunday 15 May 2011 at 3pm and will take place at the MDEC Building in the large lecture theatre at Altnagelvin Area Hospital.

The five Health and Social Care (HSC) Trusts, including the Western Trust, are hosting Northern Ireland’s biggest fostering coffee morning during Foster Care Fortnight in a bid to recruit more urgently needed foster carers for children.

Relatives of patients at the Western Health and Social Care Trust’s Altnagelvin Hospital are having their time at the hospital made more comfortable thanks to a generous £6,000 fundraising effort.

The Western Trust’s  Health Improvement Department is reminding people of the dangers of exposure to the sun and the use of sun beds as Sun Week begins on Monday 9 May.

The new £276m South West acute Hospital, Enniskillen is due to open for patients on 22 June 2012.  Western Health and Social Care Trust Chief Executive, Elaine Way, announced the date today.

The Western Trust today launched a new look website aimed at providing the most up-to-date information to patients, their families and the general public about Trust services.

Teachers have been getting a unique insight into biomedical science thanks to a workshop at the Western Trust's Altnagelvin Hospital.

Students from Tyrone and Fermanagh have been getting an insight into a career in Occupational Therapy thanks to a workshop hosted by the Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust).

People are asked not to visit the Erne Hospital if they have been feeling unwell and, if visiting, to respect visiting times and visiting restrictions in place to assist in reducing infection

The Western Trust’s Erne Hospital in County Fermanagh is the centre for an innovative cross border service which is treating patients from both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. 

The Western Trust Health Improvement Department, in association with the Public Health Agency and Department for Social Development is committed to supporting communities in all eight Neighbourhood Renewal areas across the West.

Foster carers from across the Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) area have been praised for their invaluable service to foster children and young people during the annual Foster Carers Training Awards Ceremony.

Expectant mums are benefitting from a programme of activities promoting fitness during pregnancy organised by the Western Trust and SureStart

The Western Health and Social Care Trust’s (Western Trust) Midwifery Led Unit had 543 births and 100 waterbirths in its first year since it opened at Altnagelvin Area Hospital.

Chairman and Chief Executive of Western Trust joined staff at the Tyrone County Hospital this week to celebrate the good news that the construction can start on the Enhanced Local Hospital, Omagh.  The announcement was made by Health Minister Michael McGimpsey at the NI Assembly on 23 March 2011.

The Western Trust welcomes the Health Minister Michael McGimpsey’s recent announcement of the signing of a new contract for the health service to bring remote monitoring technology to patients in their own homes.

Chairman of the Western Trust, Gerard Guckian, commenting on the Health Minister’s announcement today on capital projects at the NI Assembly said: “The Trust is disappointed that we have not been given the green light today to proceed with the Altnagelvin Radiotherapy Unit.  However, I would wish to assure the public that the Western Trust will work tirelessly with our healthcare colleagues north and south of the border to secure the delivery of this scheme.

The Western Trust welcomes the Health Minister’s announcement that construction can start on the Enhanced Local Hospital in Omagh. 

The Northern Ireland Census takes place on 27 March 2011 and the Western Trust with Carers Northern Ireland and the Carers Workers Network are calling on people to count their caring.

A new housing support service for adults with physical or sensory disabilities has been launched for the northern sector of the Western Trust.

The success of the team helping smokers to quit in the Western Trust area has been recognized with an award.

Speech and Language Therapists from the Western Trust this week treated staff and service users to a breakfast worthy of Kings to celebrate the King’s Speech winning big at the Oscars.

Omagh District Council has become one of the first places in Northern Ireland to wear its heart on its sleeve and sign up as a British Heart Foundation (BHF) Northern Ireland Heart Town.

Over two hundred Western Trust staff are celebrating their academic achievements recently, after receiving awards in Health and Social Care studies.

The Western Health hosted a conference “Virtual Lives: The Impact of New Technology on the Emotional Health and Well-Being of Young People” on 16 February 2011 at the City Hotel, Londonderry. Funded by the Public Health Agency (PHA), the purpose of the event was to raise awareness about the impact of new technology on young people’s emotional health and well being. 

People with dementia are benefitting from a new café venture in Omagh supported by the Western Trust and the Alzheimer’s Society. Omagh Dementia Café is based in the Strule Arts Centre.

The Western Trust is inviting parents, new mums and expectant mums from Omagh and Fermanagh areas to join a new Maternity Services Liaison Committee. This committee aims to find out what local women and partners want and need from maternity services. The first meeting open for all interested to attend is on Thursday 3 March 2011 at the Arc Healthy Living Centre, Irvinestown from 11am-1pm.

Martina Dempster is the Western Trust’s Senior Social Worker in Sensory Services for the Fermanagh and Omagh areas. She has been working within the Trust since 2007 and worked in the Sperrin and Lakeland Trust previously. Martina is married with three children and lives in Enniskillen.

Male Carers in the North West were recognised for their invaluable contributions at a celebration event held at Derry City Hotel last night (17 February 2011) as part of innovative new programme funded by the Public Health Agency (PHA) in conjunction with the Western Trust and delivered by Me UnLtd.

The achievements of social workers across Northern Ireland will be marked at a celebratory lunch and awards ceremony at Belfast City Hall, on Friday 25 February 2011, at the first ever Regional Social Work Awards. The Western Trust Looked After Disability Forum has been shortlisted as a finalist for the “Developing Practice Award.”

The Western Trust in association with Long Term Conditions Alliance Northern Ireland (LTCANI) recently hosted a “Day of Celebration” to provide support and to show recognition and appreciation for self management trainers in the Western Trust area.

A new cross border project is delivering health-focused education and training programmes to vulnerable and ‘at risk’ groups across the border counties. Funding totalling £1.75 million has been secured from the European Union’s INTERREG IVA programme by Co-operation and Working Together (CAWT), the cross border health services partnership. The funding has enabled this 3-year project to get off the ground, which aims to improve the health and wellbeing of groups such as vulnerable women and Travellers right across the border corridor.

An innovative scheme that promotes accident prevention and safety messages to primary school children takes place at Bawnacre Centre, Irvinestown this week. Approximately 500 children from schools throughout Fermanagh District Council area will attend the Bee Safe Initiative from 8 to 11 February 2011.   The initiative is one of a number of schemes that takes place throughout the province under the regional umbrella ‘Bee Safe NI.’

The Western Trust is highlighting a programme of physical activities specially adapted for pregnant women to promote fitness during pregnancy, both physically and emotionally. The Trust currently offers Yogacise classes at Altnagelvin Hopspital to provide light exercise for pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy, based on carefully adapted classic yoga postures and breathing exercises.

Responding to the publication of the Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) Performance Report on the Western Health and Social Care Trust, Gerard Guckian, Trust Chairman said: “The Trust is pleased that the Governance Review has found that the Trust is performing satisfactorily against the key requirements of good governance as set out by the Department of Health Social Services and Public Safety.”

Patients requiring a diagnostic scan have been availing of a mobile MRI service at the Western Trust’s Erne Hospital in Enniskillen since the start of this month (January).

A new floating housing support service for adults with physical and sensory disability has been launched for the Omagh and Fermanagh areas. The service has been developed in partnership by the Housing Executive, the Supporting People Programme, the Western Trust and Leonard Cheshire Disability to address the specific housing needs of those with physical and sensory disability.

The Western Trust and the Co-operation and Working Together (CAWT) Eating Disorders project, in conjunction with the Eating Disorders Association Northern Ireland, are holding a public meeting on Eating Disorders on Wednesday 26 January at 7:30pm in the Clinton Centre, Enniskillen.

Parkinson’s UK – the support and research charity - is committed to improving life for everyone affected by Parkinson’s. That’s why celebrations are in order with the news that the Western Trust has committed to two full-time posts after a long period of the posts being either vacant or part-time.

Women faced with the demands of caring for a loved one do not usually have the time, energy or opportunity to think about themselves. But over the past 10 weeks, a unique personal development programme funded by the Public Health Agency (PHA) in conjunction with the Western Trust, has turned this ‘fact of life’ on its head for 30 female carers from Fermanagh, Omagh, Strabane and Derry/Londonderry.

The Chairman of the Western Trust has said the development and operation of a Satellite Radiotherapy Unit at Altnagelvin Hospital is “absolutely essential”. Gerard Guckian was commenting on news that the Radiotherapy Unit could be built at Altnagelvin but major challenges could be faced in finding funding to open and run the facility.

This week the Western Trust celebrated the opening of ‘The Oak Tree Centre’ in the Rath Mor Centre in Creggan. This new centre has been renovated and tailored to provide modern state of the art day care services for 24 adults with a learning disability.

The Western Trust is announcing, this week, that a new Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programme for patients is being rolled out across the Omagh and Fermanagh areas.Pulmonary Rehabilitation is an important therapy, which does not involve using medication that can improve the quality of life and reduce healthcare costs of respiratory illnesses such as COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder) through exercise tolerance and education.

Northern Ireland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People recently presented Western Trust foster carers with an award for completing the ‘Core Issues in Fostering’ training course.

The Western Trust with the support of the Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) recently presented £1000 to Cancer Connect, a voluntary group that has recently been established in Fermanagh.

Arange of stimulating summer activity programmes for children and young people with Autism Spectrum Disorder is currently being rolled out in the Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) area. Funding from the European Union’s INTERREG IVA programme, secured by the Co-operation and Working Together (CAWT) cross border partnership, is enabling the Western Trust to provide an extensive programme of more than 200 family support activity placements across the Trust area during the Summer. 

A range of stimulating summer activity programmes for children and young people with Autism Spectrum Disorder is currently being rolled out in the Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) area. Funding from the European Union’s INTERREG IVA programme, secured by the Co-operation and Working Together (CAWT) cross border partnership, is enabling the Western Trust to provide an extensive programme of more than 200 family support activity placements across the Trust area during the Summer.

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Relatives of patients at the Western Health and Social Care Trust’s Altnagelvin Hospital are having their time at the hospital made more comfortable thanks to a generous £6,000 fundraising effort.

The Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) has launched an information leaflet on Foetal Alcohol Syndrome aimed at increasing support for foster carers who provide substitute care for children

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EU Commissioner for Regional Policy Johannes Hahn had the opportunity to hear at first hand from the cross border health partnership, Co-operation and Working Together (CAWT), about the tremendous strides being made in cross border health and social care services, when opening the ‘Peace Bridge’ in Derry-Londonderry recently. A delegation from CAWT met the EU Commissioner in the city to brief him on the 12 cross border health and social care services underway through CAWT’s ‘Putting Patients, Clients and Families First’ initiative, which has received £24 million sterling / €30 million euros from the EU INTERREG IVA programme.

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