Дейли Армстронг опровергла обвинения в бездействии, заявив, что лично инициировала визит нового министра здравоохранения в больницу

Diana Armstrong has hit back at claims she is a “lame duck” on South West Acute Hospital, insisting she was the person who brought the new Health Minister through its doors. The Ulster Unionist MLA was responding to criticism from Sinn Féin Councillor Sheamus Greene, who questioned what Mrs. Armstrong could do for SWAH following Robbie Butler’s appointment as Health Minister. Mr. Butler visited the hospital on Wednesday, meeting staff and viewing the facilities, in a visit Mrs. Armstrong says happened because she requested it. She said: “It was a real pleasure to welcome my friend and colleague Robbie Butler to Fermanagh today as Health Minister. Robbie and I have worked closely together for years, and I have always found him to be someone who listens. “That he came to the South West Acute Hospital this early in his tenure is a vote of confidence in this hospital and in the people who work in it, and I know how much that means to staff here. “I live in this county and I represent the people who depend on this hospital. Barely a week goes by that someone does not come to my office worried about a hospital appointment, a long journey for treatment, or a family member waiting far too long for care. “That is why the SWAH matters so much to me personally, and why I will keep making the case for it at every opportunity.” Mrs. Armstrong directly addressed the criticism made in the council chamber, saying she had “never shied away” from championing SWAH. “I am aware of comments made about my commitment to this hospital at the council chamber last night. Let me be very clear. I have never shied away from championing the SWAH, its services and its staff, and I never will. “I have been raising this hospital since long before I entered the Assembly, and I have done it in council, in the chamber at Stormont, in my party and directly with successive Health Ministers. “Today's visit did not happen by accident. It happened because I asked for it and because I keep asking. “I would rather spend my energy bringing the Minister through the doors of this hospital than scoring points about it, and that is exactly what I intend to keep doing.” Mrs. Armstrong said SWAH has a “unique position” in the health service, serving Fermanagh and West Tyrone and acting as a key healthcare hub across the South West. She said the hospital “must play its full and fair share” in delivering waiting list targets, pointing to the elective orthopaedic work already being carried out there as evidence of what it can achieve when properly resourced. She also said the Western Trust's Vision programme for Fermanagh and West Tyrone was well underway, with engagement continuing through to September. “It was important to me that I brought Robbie here to see the SWAH firsthand and the incredible facilities on offer, because you have to stand in this building to appreciate what we have,” she said. But she warned that facilities alone were not enough. “It was just as important to impress upon him that if we are to have the services this part of the world needs and deserves, we have to rebuild capacity and get serious about the recruitment and retention of staff. “Facilities without people do not treat patients.” “I want to thank every member of staff who took the time to speak with us today. I look forward to working with Robbie on delivering for the South West Acute Hospital.”