The Western Trust said people wishing to attend a public consultation can now apply for tickets on Eventbrite, a website commonly used for selling tickets for shows, gigs and exhibitions.
The service has been suspended at the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH) since December 2022 after concerns were raised over staffing levels at the Enniskillen site.
Arrangements put in place following the decision mean that patients who require EGS must instead travel to Altnagelvin Area Hospital in Londonderry for treatment and assessment.
The Western Trust, which oversees the SWAH, last week voted to consult on a permanent transfer of the service to its Derry site.
A first in-person event scheduled for July 15 at the Killyhevlin Hotel has now ‘sold out’. It follows an impassioned plea from Save Our Acute Services (SOAS) campaigner Pauline Corrigan, whose voice note to friends on Wednesday morning was circulated widely on WhatsApp.
Ms Corrigan, from Blacklion, on the border with Co Cavan, said she had been “feeling down” about the Trust’s decision and had taken an opportunity to vent.
“I just got on the phone, did a voice message, and I sent it to 20 of my friends. I started getting messages from a girl in Spain and then another girl from America and it just blew up,” she told the Belfast Telegraph.
“I just feel that, from the very beginning, when we lost emergency general surgery, we have been treated like dirt. Where I live, I am two hours and 20 minutes away from Altnagelvin.
“We live on a farm and have more risk of having a serious industrial accident than any other industry. Unfortunately, I know that too well because my grandfather was killed by a bull and my niece was crushed under a tractor.
Campaigner Pauline Corrigan
“A farm accident is a serious accident because they’re dealing with machinery and animals. I genuinely live in fear; we haven’t a hope.”
Pauline’s message has implored friends and family to make their presence felt at next week’s meeting, describing it as the “last throw of the dice”.
She said she had been overwhelmed with the level of support following her plea: “I’m not saying it was my voice message — I can’t take any credit for that — but I have never seen the sea change of people.
“I’ve had at least 25 calls and messages from people that I haven’t heard from in years and they’ve said enough is enough.
“People ignite something in them when they realise this is it. I have never seen this level of anger. We will not stop until we get this back. If we have to block roads, we’ll block roads.”
South West Acute Hospital (SWAH) in Enniskillen
Emergency services at the scene of serious RTC in Bangor
The Western Trust said rules around “public health, safety and security” prevented it from going above capacity for the consultation event.
“It is important that you do not attend if you are not registered for the event,” said a spokesperson.
“The Trust has significant learning from the previous consultation on the temporary change to EGS at SWAH. We are pleased with the response to date and we are keen to engage with as many people as possible over the 14-week period of the consultation.
“We are committed to ensuring the public have every opportunity to attend a public consultation session, either face-to-face or virtually.
“We will now hold a second face-to-face session in the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council area.
“Details of this date will be issued as soon as possible on Trust channels.
“The Trust has set up a ‘waiting list’ on Eventbrite for anyone who wanted to attend Killyhelvlin but was unable to get a ticket.”
Another consultation event will be held at the Waterfoot Hotel in Derry on July 17, as well as a virtual consultation session on August 27.
