Hi °C | Lo °C Some obstetric and gynaecological services have been suspended at the Erne and Tyrone County hospitals because of a shortage of doctors.
From Tuesday, all routine and emergency gynaecology patients, in-patients and out-patients will be sent to Altnagelvin Area Hospital in Londonderry.
The only exceptions will be women with life-threatening bleeding, patients with appointments at the nurse-led Early Pregnancy Clinic, colposcopy clinics and a limited number of selected day case operations will be carried out by senior medical staff.
While the Western Health and Social Care Trust has said it is taking steps to address the situation, it is not known when normal services will resume.
John Doherty, director of Women and Children's Services, said: “Although we are experiencing difficulties as a result of junior doctor placements we are doing everything possible to address the situation. Trusts across Northern Ireland are facing similar challenges in filling rotas due to the shortfall and unavailability of junior doctors.”
Speaking on behalf of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Service at the Erne Hospital, Dr Angela McKinney, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, said: “We would like to provide our assurances that this interim service change is only a temporary measure. The Trust is urgently examining the obstetrics and gynaecology Service and is actively considering all alternatives to address the gaps in rotas to enable all services to continue as normal as soon as practically possible.”
