History of The Erne Hospital

The passing of the Public Infirmaries (Ireland) Act 1765, saw the provision of an infirmary in each county in Ireland. In 1814, the original Fermanagh County Infirmary building was found to be unsuitable and a new hospital was provided in 1821, at a cost of £3,000 on the lands at Breandrum, Enniskillen on the estate of the Earl of Belmore.

The County Infirmary began as a small hospital and even by 1925, the available number of beds was only 53, the daily average of occupied beds being about 30. The staff then comprised of, a Medical Officer; nine Nurses, eight Domestic Workers and three others.

Following the Poor Relief Ireland Act of 1838 there were three workhouses established in Fermanagh to address the great poverty, squalor and deprivation that the citizens were experiencing at that time. These institutions were administered by the Poor Law Commissioners through a committee known as the Board of Guardians. Shortly after these institutions were set up, the Great Famine of 1846 occurred and many of the workhouses were overwhelmed in helping those people who were dying from hunger and disease.

It should be noted that the workhouses were not intended to be hospitals but rather as a resource to assist those who had suffered great deprivation. The workhouses eventually did assume a hospital function in terms of providing poor relief for those people who because of illness were no longer able to cope.

The workhouse provision remained in place until 1948 when the provisions of the National Health Service Act of 1946 were implemented. In the interim period there had been considerable improvements made to the Union Infirmary including the provision of X-Ray Department, Maternity Services Department, Children's Ward, new laundry etc and following the new legislation the Union Infirmary was renamed the Enniskillen Hospital later to become known as Erne Hospital.

Following the introduction of the 1946 Act, in July 1948 a comprehensive Health Service came into being which revolutionised Health Care in the UK The old workhouses were abolished and inferior buildings replaced. It was not until 1962 that the new modern hospital was built in Enniskillen to reflect the new era in the provision of Health Care.

By 1963 several improvement schemes at a cost of approximately £50,000 gave the hospital a further face lift. Today in 2000, the Erne Hospital continues to be recognised as a modern and providing a wide range of facilities, employing up to speciality.

The Old Erne Hospital Prior To Demolition

Department of Surgery

The Surgical Unit of the Erne Hospital is located on the ground floor; strategically positioned in relation to the Theatre Department. It is a 37 bedded unit, with the main ward being made up of 8, 4-bedded cubicles and 5 side rooms, two of which have en suite facilities.

The surgical ward is a progressive and up-to-date unit using all the latest technology required to provide for general surgery, trauma and breast surgery Staff on the ward are committed to providing the highest standard of care possible and would assure the highest quality of such for each patient.

Surgical Ward

The ward is well equipped, bright and cheerful patients' during their convalesence. On the ward there is a spacious and suitably furnished day-room for patients, with a home-from-home environment. Also on the ward there is a family/visitor's room to cater for those waiting to visit particularly sick patients. The Unit extends its care philosophy to the families of sick patients and facilities are available for their use should they feel the need to be near their sick relative.

Theatre: Erne Hospital

The Erne Hospital Theatre opened in 1963. At that stage the multidisciplinary team consisted of one Consultant Surgeon, ENT Consultant, Consultant Anaesthetist, Consultant Obstetrician/Gynaecologist and a nursing staff of six.

Today the unit provides a service for two Consultant Surgeon and one locum Consultant Surgeon, four Consultant Anaesthetists and four Consultant Obstetricians/Gynaecologists. The team also cover specialists such as Paediatrics, dental surgery, day surgery procedures and a 24 hour emergency cover for A &E and maternity

Theatre

With technological changes and advancements in surgery the unit now offers a range of up to date procedures, e.g. laparoscopic cholecystectomy and subfacial endoscopic perforating vein surgery.

With the multidisciplinary team, the nursing staff continue to provide safe, effective and individual care, encompassing a wide variety of skills within the different areas of the operating department.

In the role of patient advocate, a pre-operative visit is carried out where patients are visited by a theatre nurse, who explains their forthcoming theatre procedure and answers any queries the patient may have.

The theatre philosophy states that, every patient merits equal care, planned through a systematic problem solving approach, reflecting an holistic concept of care, also incorporating his/her individual rights, beliefs and problems unique to themselves.

Accident and Emergency Department

The A & E Unit provides 24 hour cover 7 days per week and is supported by the full range of diagnostic facilities. The workload has grown steadily over the years, to date attendances average 17,500 per year:

The department provides a service primarily for the reception, assessment, examination and treatment of patients who have been involved in an accident or who have sustained an injury or who have an acute surgical or medical emergency:

There is a fully equipped operating theatre, wherein minor surgery is performed. This forms an integral part of the Accident & Emergency unit. In addition there is a dedicated plaster room available for the treatment of fractures and a fully equipped 2 bed resuscitation area.

There is access to the full range of clinical support services for example, Laboratory, Radiology and a Computerised Tomography Scanner on a 24 hour basis, together with the availability of Consultant and Paramedic services.

The department is under the Clinical and administrative control of a Consultant Surgeon.

Endoscopy Suite

Part of the old Ward 2, Medical has been refurbished as the new Endoscopy Suite for the Erne Hospital. The Unit is utilised by Consultant Medical staff from various specialities, including general surgery, gynaecology and general medicine.

The Endoscopy Unit will have an open access referral system for specific Gastro-Intestinal problems. Procedures performed include, gastroscopy, colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, cystoscopy and hysteroscopy.

Endoscopy Suite

The Unit comprises of a dedicated Endoscopy suite and 12 recovery beds. The dedicated facility brings with it staff who are committed to deliver services designed for the specific needs of day patients.

Gynaecology Ward

The Gynaecology ward has 6 beds. There are 4 Consultants, each having one operating session per week Consultants hold outpatient clinics and day case surgery in the Erne and Tyrone County Hospitals.

The ward accepts all gynaecological emergencies in the Fermanagh and South West Tyrone area.

The ward philosophy is; "Every woman attending the gynaecological specialty in the Western Health and Social Care Trust has the right to skilled care within the resources that are available to meet her individual needs, taking into account her physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs."

Gynaecology Ward

Intensive Care Unit/High Dependency Unit

The ICU/HDU is a modern and progressive unit containing three Intensive Care beds and two high dependency beds, which are interchangeable and may vary depending on need.

The Unit provides care for seriously ill patients and patients requiring stabilisation and/or resuscitation prior to transfer to the regional centres. The High Dependency Unit, provides a service for those patients following major operative procedures. The Unit caters for both medical and surgical patients and has excellent equipment, including the most up to date ventilators and monitoring systems.

The nursing staff in the Unit are highly skilled, a number of whom have undergone specialist ICU courses. Staff in the I.C.U./H.D.U., assure a high level of care to all patients. There are four Consultant Anaesthetists who work closely with and are an integral part of the ICU team. The Unit is supported by a team of Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Dieticians and Speech Therapists.

Families also benefit from the caring approach adopted in ICU; They are supported by the nursing and medical staff alike. There is a facility available where families can stay over night on request.

Medical Department

The Day Hospital

The aim of the Day Hospital is to offer rehabilitation for those living at home or being discharged early from hospital. The Day Hospital is a very convivial environment for the visitors and provides an opportunity to meet up with others. Patients are provided with a lunch and transport to and from the Hospital.

As well as a large comfortable day room, the Day Hospital also has a pleasant Sun-room which overlooks Lough Erne.

Patients visiting the Day Hospital have access to a range of services, including medical and nursing interventions, speech therapy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, podiatry and social services.

Treatments such as joint injections and the latest wound care and leg ulcer laser treatments are also carried out.

Referral to the Day Hospital is by Dr: Kelly (Consultant Geriatrician) or by General Practitioners.

Ward 8

Ward 8 cares for acute, chronic and continuing care patients, and includes rehabilitation, terminal care and respite care. The decor and ethos of the ward lends itself towards creating an open, therapeutic environment.

The overall philosophy is to facilitate the individual patient in achieving his/her maximum potential in the physical. social, psychological and spiritual aspects of well being. We recognise the importance of patients and relatives receiving all necessary information so that they can participate fully in any decisions relating to their care.

The multi-disciplinary team consists of skilled and competent professionals, who are aware of the need to continually deliver evidence based practice.

Ward 9

Ward 9 is a 36 bedded ward in the Medical Rehabilitation Unit. 12 of these beds were opened in 1990 as the first designated Stroke Unit in Northern Ireland. The remaining 24 beds are mainly used for assessment and rehabilitation.

The aims of Ward 9 and the Stroke Unit are, to provide quality care for the patient following a stroke and to rehabilitate to him/her to their full potential. The multidisciplinary team assist the patient and their family with preparation for discharge from hospital. When recovery is not anticipated the Ward Staff ensure that the patients' remaining days are dignified and pain free. The multidisciplinary team work together to try to achieve all of these aims.

Care in the Stroke Unit has been enhanced by the introduction of Computerised Tomography Scanning facilities became available at the Erne Hospital. This enables earlier diagnosis and administration of the most appropriate treatment.

The staff of Ward 9 and the Stroke Unit endeavour to make the patients' stay as happy and comfortable as possible. Hairdressing and newspaper/confectionery trolley are some of the services available to help facilitate this.

Medical Ward and Cardiac Unit

Medical Ward and the Cardiac Unit are located at Ward 10, in the Medical Rehabilitation Unit, having been relocated from Ward 2 following extensive refurbishment.

Within the Ward, there is a total of 38 beds, divided female sections and the Cardiac Unit Mobile Coronary Care Unit which also supports the Mobile Coronary Care Unit or Cardiac Car.

The majority of admissions to Medical Ward and Cardiac Unit are emergency in nature, arranged either through the patient's General Practitioner or the Accident and Emergency Department. A smaller number are admitted by hospital Consultants from the Outpatients Clinics.

Treatment and care within the Medical Ward and the Cardiac Unit is based on a multidisciplinary team approach, involving the Consultants, Junior Doctors, Nurses, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Dieticians, Social Services, Pharmacy, Electrocardiography technicians, a Health Promotion tutor; Resuscitation trainer and Reflexologist and Health Visitors for Diabetes Liaison and Post Coronary Support.

The Cardiac Unit in the Erne was the first in the British Isles to develop the use of a clot-busting drug in the patient's home. It is staffed by a Consultant Cardiologist, Registrar, Senior House Officers and Registered Coronary Care Nursing Staff.

Heart disease kills 200 people in County Fermanagh each year; however the Cardiac Unit has been creative in tackling this devastating disease. It has a proven success rate in the provision of innovative and responsive coronary intervention, treatment and care.

Medical Ward

The Medical Ward and Cardiac Unit team aim to provide care based on the identified needs of the patients, in partnership with themselves, their relatives and carers. We further aim to review and improve the level of care and treatment through innovative work practice and staff development.

Cardiology Investigation

The Cardiology Investigation Suite provides non- invasive cardiac investigations serving both in patients and out patients. More people die of heart disease in the UK than of any other single cause therefore early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can help extend life expectancy:

Cardiology technicians work with patients suspected of having, or known to have, heart disease. They provide; 24 hour ambulatory holter monitoring to record heart rhythm, routine electrocardiograms (ECGs), treadmill stress testing, blood pressure recording, echocardiograms (ECHO), and trans-telephonic pacemaker transmissions to Belfast City Hospital.

The picture presented by the results of these many tests help medical staff diagnose the type and severity of the condition and decide on the best method of treatment.

There are currently two cardiology technicians, who are specifically trained and liaise closely with medical staff to ensure the highest possible care for all their clients.

Cardiology Investigation

Outpatient Department and Guidance for Patients

The Outpatient Department provides regular clinics by resident Consultants in the following areas; medical, including diabetes and chest medicine, surgery including, fracture/breast/urology and prostate assessment, obstetrics including, ante-natal, gynaecology, cloposcopy, paediatrics and ENT including audiology.

A number of visiting Consultants provide clinics in radiotherapy, dermatology, oral surgery, opthamology, orthopaedics/orthotics, haematology, rheumatology, psychiatry, mental handicap and neurology.

The Department facilitates the efficient processing of outpatient attendances. Patients can relax in comfortable and spacious surroundings with access to refreshments, television and a play area for children.

Increasingly the emphasis is on improving standards of service to patients and clients through conducting Clinical Audits and Patient Satisfaction Surveys. Health Education and Health Promotion is also a priority and to this end, a range of information leaflets and videos are available for informing patients about their conditions and treatments available. Patient participation has been developed by fully implementing the compliments/complaints procedure and utilising the Opinion meter system for obtaining patient feedback.

Paediatric Services

Maternity and Neo natal Unit

The Maternity and Neo-natal units are impressive and modern and are adjacent to each other; on the ground floor of the Erne Hospital Medical Unit.

Maternity Ward is a very relaxed and friendly ward containing 28 beds including 8 single rooms, some of which are en suite. Adjacent to this is the Delivery suite which has 6 rooms, one of which is a home from home environment, suitable for normal labour where no intervention is needed. The unit is staffed with experienced midwives to care for the woman in labour and the partner: The unit is staffed by both Consultant and Junior medical staff, trained midwifery staff and auxiliaries. The unit is supported by a team of clerical staff.

Maternity Services

The Neo-natal Unit at the Erne Hospital became fully operational in October 1994 and since then has proved to be an important asset in the implementation of improved maternity and paediatric services in the Erne. The Unit itself is a modern purpose-built building with state of the art equipment.

Neo Natal/ Paediatrics

The Unit provides accommodation for six babies including an isolation room. Murals depicting nursery rhyme characters are painted on the walls, both inside the Unit and on the outside corridor: This helps create a cheerful and more homely environment. Parents visit whenever and as often as they wish. Grandparents and siblings are also welcome to visit. Staff in the Neo-natal Unit include midwives and sick children's trained staff with further specialist training and nursing auxiliaries.

Childrens Ward

The Children's Ward in the Erne Hospital is a 26 bedded unit caring and providing for sick children from birth up to 16 years of age. Along with the trained nursing staff there are three Paediatricians on site.

The department deals with many and varied conditions, such as medical, surgical, gynae, dental and orthopaedic. There are an array of visiting specialists to the ward, including, Dieticians, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech Therapists.

The team in the department have a family centred care approach and accommodation may be provided for those parents/guardians wishing to stay close to the sick child. The ward has a very spacious and cheerful play area, with a large number of games and toys for the children to play with and relax. The decor in the ward is very much child orientated as are the staff uniforms. The ethos of the ward is very relaxed and informal, all of which transpires to make the child's stay in hospital that bit more pleasant.

The Children's ward also provides for training of Post Registered Medical Students, Student Nurse T raining, NNEB Students, NVQ Students, students in GNVQ Childhood Studies.

Diagnostic and Support Services

Laboratory Service

The medical laboratory investigation is one of the principle diagnostic aids in medicine, enabling the clinicians to make decisions on treatment and to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment. The Medical Laboratory in the Erne Hospital provides a comprehensive 24 hour; 365 day service in clinical chemistry, haematology, blood transfusion, and microbiology. The Laboratory also provides for neighbouring Hospitals, Health Centres and residential homes.

The introduction of new technologies into the Laboratory and the advances in modern-day medicine have fostered significant increases in the number; range and complexity of investigations carried out at the Erne. The installation of the most modern equipment and computers, has helped cope with the increase in workload over the past years.

The Laboratory employs Consultant Pathologists, Biomedical Scientists and Clerical Staff in order to provide this key support service to clinicians.

Radiology Department

The Department of Radiology provides a comprehensive range of diagnostic procedures to GPs, Outpatient and Inpatient services.

These include plain radiography, A&E, contrast and barium studies, dental and orthodontic radiography, symptomatic mammography and breast screening.

Advanced modalities provided are Ultrasound and Computerised Tomography Scanning. The Ultrasound service makes full use of the range of Colour Velocity Imaging Power Doppler Imaging available on the equipment as well as ante-natal, paediatric and general abdominal ultrasound.

The Computerised Tomography Scanner has been operational since September 1998 providing services to the whole of the Fermanagh and South West Tyrone area, covering a wide range and complexity of investigations including standard and dynamic scanning, virtual endoscopy and CT angiography.

Computerised Tomography Scanner

The radiology team is led by Consultant Radiologists and staffed by Radiographers with a high skill mix and supported by an administrative team. Radiography students from the University of Ulster; Jordanstown are placed in the department for their practical experience.

The objective of the department is to deliver a high quality diagnostic Imaging Service with a caring and professional approach to the patients.

Pharmacy Services

Pharmacy Department

The Pharmacist's understanding of the chemical structures and properties of substances and their effect on human physiology equips them well to ensure the safe, effective and economical use of medicines. To this end the Pharmacy Department provides the following pharmaceutical services:

Drug Procurement and Supply

With the aid of a comprehensive computerised stock control system and a computerised drug top-up service to all wards the purchase, storage and distribution of medicines is tightly controlled. The Pharmacy Department monitors, collates and reviews drug trends, usage and advises Clinical Directors and Heads of Departments on various aspects of their drug budgets.

Dispensing

All discharge prescriptions are scrutinised for accuracy and suitability by the pharmacists before dispensing commences. In addition the skills and knowledge of the pharmacist are frequently called upon to formulate and dispense special liquid preparations which are not available commercially

Clinical Pharmacy

On the ward, the clinical pharmacist liaises closely with medical, nursing and other health professions, providing accurate, appropriate and timely information and advice on patient drug therapy. The pharmacist is central to informing, facilitating and implementing drug formularies and prescribing protocols. Other clinical services provided include; prescription monitoring, patient counselling, drug information, clinical trials and staff education.

Other Services

The Pharmacy Department is also responsible for

Professions Allied to Medicine

Nutrition and Dietetics

Dieticians specialise in nutritional assessment that is used together with clinical information to prescribe appropriate dietary treatment.

Diet is the cornerstone of treatment in many conditions such as, diabetes, malnutrition, renal disease and certain paediatric disorders.

Dieticians within the Erne Hospital provide a service to inpatients and outpatients. Their overall aim is to educate patients to make informed food choices required for the dietary management of their condition and to ensure nutritional needs are met.

Dieticians within the Erne Hospital also participate in health promotion initiatives and disease prevention programmes, training of health professionals and catering staff.

For more information on Nutrition and Dietetics go to our Professions Allied to Medicine page.

Speech and Language Therapy Service

The Speech and Language Therapy adult service began on two sites in the early 1970s; i.e. the Geriatric hospital site and in the outpatient department, Erne Hospital, Enniskillen.

When the Geriatric hospital site was closed in the late 1980's, the Speech and Language Therapy Department transferred to one site in the new Medical Rehabilitation unit, Erne Hospital. The Department now manages in and outpatients in County Fermanagh and extends to Trillick and Dromore.

The Speech and Language Therapist in the Department assesses and treats patients with a language disorder resulting from a stroke, at the acute and recovery stages; patients with motor speech disorders as in MND, PD and MS and functional and organic voice disorders. Day hospital patients in the above categories are also treated and home and nursing home review visits are made -as deemed necessary.

For more information on Speech and Language Therapy go to our Professions Allied to Medicine page.

Physiotherapy Department

The Physiotherapy Department at the Erne Hospital is comprised of a team of 10 whole time Chartered Physiotherapists and one whole time Physiotherapy Assistant. They provide a service to the following wards:

Medical, Surgical, Coronary Care, Gynaecology, Maternity, Paediatric and Intensive Care as well as the Medical Rehabilitation Unit for the elderly and the Day Hospital.

A fully equipped Outpatient Department caters for those patients referred by Consultants and General Practitioners. The Community Physiotherapist also delivers a service to Lisnaskea Health Centre, Rathmore Clinic, Day Care Centres, Residential and Nursing Homes. Children with physical and learning disabilities are treated in Elmbrook School, Erne Special School, main stream schools and Coleshill. A domiciliary service is also available for adults and children when necessary in their own homes.

For more information on Physiotherapy go to our Professions Allied to Medicine page.

Occupational Therapy

The Occupational Therapy Department at the Erne Hospital, provides an assessment and rehabilitation service to both in patients and out patients.

The role of the Occupational Therapist is to enable patients, with their families/carers, to reach their maximum level of independence possible following illness or injury which may be temporary or permanent.

This is achieved by carrying out relevant assessments which enable the therapist to devise appropriate treatment programmes to suit the needs of the individual client.

Areas of assessment include physical perceptual and cognitive ability personal care and domestic activities, seating requirements, wheelchair provision, hand function to determine the need for treatment and splinting, lifting and handling equipment, e.g. hoist, home situation, to facilitate effective discharge.

Occupational Therapists work with patients with a wide variety of conditions, e.g. stroke, decreased mobility terminally ill, fracture, amputations, head injuries, myocardial infarcation, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and traumatic hand and upper limb injuries.

There is a close liaison between the hospital based Occupational Therapists and the Community Occupational Therapists, regarding housing adaptations and provision of specialised equipment.

For more information on Occupational Therapy go to our Professions Allied to Medicine page.

Orthoptics

Orthoptists assess, diagnose and treat visual function problems, abnormalities of eye movements and dysfunction of eye co-ordination in children and adults; such as squint, amblyopia, lazy eye and double vision.

Their specialised training enables them to assess the visual function in the non-verbal patients, e.g. a stroke patient with poor communication skills.

After Orthoptic invest management are planned visual potential and relieve pinned by education and counselling to both patient and carer.

Orthoptic treatment may be a combination of occlusion, eye exercises, optical, pharmaceutical or surgical intervention which is based on the Orthoptists assessment.

Orthoptists work with all client groups and participate in the training of other professional staff. Orthoptics are part of the Eye Care Team.

For more information on Orthoptics go to our Professions Allied to Medicine page.

Podiatry Service

Podiatrists specialise in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of disease and conditions affecting the feet and lower limbs. Their training enables them to assess the vascular; neurological and orthopaedic status of the patient's lower limbs.

Within the Erne Hospital, Podiatrists aim to offer a 'seamless' service to patients, whether as inpatients at outpatient clinics, or attending as day patients and appropriate follow up care is delivered in the community.

The Podiatrist is a valuable member of the medical team, particularly assisting those treating patients with disease affecting their lower limbs; such as diabetes, stroke, arthritic conditions or indeed any conditions affecting the circulation, nerve supply bones, muscle or soft tissue of the feet or lower limbs.

Following assessment, podiatry treatment is focused on alleviating pain, relieving symptoms and maintaining functional independence with an emphasis on educating patient on self-help measures and prevention.

The Podiatrist is trained in using a variety of treatment methods including:

Ambulance Service

Ambulance services are organised through Ambulance Central Control with a base at the Erne Hospital, Enniskillen. There are a wide range of routine and emergency ambulance services. These include facilities for the transfer of critically ill patients to specialist centres throughout the province.

Chaplaincy Services

Chaplains routinely visit wards to offer spiritual care to patients during their stay in hospital. They can also be contacted at any other time on request.

There is a Chaplains' Room adjacent to the Relatives' Room within the main foyer of the Erne Hospital, beside the shop.

Hospital/Business/Adminstrative Services

The Departments associated with Administration and Management include

Patient Amenities

A wide range of amenities are provided bya network of groups for patients and their relatives to ensure that their stay in the Erne Hospital is made as comfortable as possible.

The following valuable services are available at the Erne Hospital :

• Canteen • Chaplaincy Service • Hairdresser • Mobile Telephone Service • Newsagent's Shop with Trolley Service to Wards • Specialist Counselling Services • Visitor's Room for Relatives of critically ill patients

Canteen

In addition, a large number of voluntary organisations, schools and youth groups, generously give of their time to visit patients.

Suggestions and Complaints

The Erne Hospital is committed to providing high quality care for all our patients.

As part of our Quality Assurance Programme, we welcome any compliments or complaints you may have about the service provided.

All communications will be treated in a confidential manner as we continue to effect positive improvement within our service.

Please write to:

Ms Noreen May,
Director of Corporate Affairs
Main Building
Tyrone and Fermanagh Hospital
OMAGH
Co. Tyrone BT79 0NS

Telephone: 028 8283 5434
Fax: 028 8283 5286

Or you can contact us by using the Contact Us form.