'Huge and disproportionate' number of vacancies in Western Trust highlighted
What has been described as a “critical staffing shortage” in the Western Trust has been highlighted by recently published Department of Health statistics, according to the Save Our Acute Services (SOAS) campaign.
The group, which is seeking the restoration of Emergency General Surgery (ESG) provision at Enniskillen’s South West Acute Hospital (SWAH), was citing recently published Department of Health staff vacancy statistics.
SOAS Spokesperson Donal O'Cofaigh said the statistics “revealed the failure of the Western Trust in dealing with a critical staffing shortage”.
In June 2026, there were 138 medical and dental vacancies in the Western Trust area, including 50 consultants and 16 locum consultants, according to the Northern Ireland health and social care (HSC) active recruitment statistics (June 2026), published on August 26, 2026.
The statistics also showed the Western Trust was the only trust in the North with an overall increase of 6.6% in the number of vacant posts over the past 5 years; all other trusts here show a decrease in vacant posts.
Mr O'Cofaigh also highlighted a recent RQIA (Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority) inspection report which detailed widespread concerns from staff - contradicted by management statements - the absence of emergency surgery at SWAH and inadequate resources had impacted patient safety.
"These statistics are an indictment of the Western Trust's failure to deal with the staffing crisis,” said Mr O'Cofaigh.
“The number of consultant medical vacancies at the Trust is more than twice those of all other Trusts with the exception of Belfast,” he added.
“With 50 consultant vacancies, the Western Trust is on a par with Belfast Trust, which across many specialisms and sites, has 51 vacancies.
“What is even more concerning is that the Western Trust is the only health trust where the number of vacancies has continued to increase over the past five years and over the last year has an increase of 21.2% which is a shocking reflection on recruitment and retention.
"Something is very wrong. The recent RQIA inspection report related to the suspension of emergency surgery at SWAH showed significant concerns around inadequate staffing levels. 100% of online staff who responded to the regulator said that the care being provided was not safe. Those patient safety and staff concerns were entirely ignored by management in their comments to RQIA.
"The increase in the numbers of vacancies in the Western Trust occurs despite the huge efforts and expense involved in attempts such as 'Meet us in Mumbai' to recruit overseas to fill positions. Instead of listening to staff, the Western Trust are now considering bringing forward even more damaging cuts to services and staffing. What is that going to do only further damage confidence and staff retention?” said Mr O’Cofaigh.
Western Trust is the only health trust where the number of vacancies has continued to increase over the past five years
"Rather than cutting services to stay within austerity budgets, the Western Trust should be standing up for services and showing ambition,” he added.
“It should bring forward plans to restore services at SWAH - delivering rural equality, regional balance and relieving the pressure on staff at all sites, including Altnagelvin Area Hospital in Derry.
“That would be a really positive statement for our health service, our staff and our community. Western Trust management needs to show leadership rather than a policy of continued managed decline of our services."