Western Trust

Former medical director at the Western Trust Dr. Catherine McDonnell

Former Altnagelvin director tells COVID-19 inquiry of staff’s ‘absolute fear’

‘Huge inconsistencies’ in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) services across the North has been raised at Stormont with the end of new referrals in the Western Trust last year referenced.

‘Huge inconsistencies’ and ‘postcode lottery’ in ADHD services raised

The Western Trust has posted the best cancer waiting time performance of any health authority but is still missing key targets.

Western Trust posts best cancer waiting performance but is still missing targets

fizkes - stock.adobe.com

Seeking a better night's sleep? 'Better Sleep and You' event for Derry

Cardiology Team at Altnagelvin celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the PPCI service saving and treated thousands of heart attack patients.

Derry Journal Editorial: In praise of NW health heroes

Specialist Nurses in Organ Donation Mary Hayes and Jemma Devine.

‘Have the talk about organ donation’

Cardiology Team at Altnagelvin celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the PPCI service saving and treated thousands of heart attack patients.

Over 2,000 treated for heart attacks in Derry in 10 years

Natasha Duddy, Catherine McKevitt, Breidge Hampson, Nicola McCann and Cathy Meenan.

‘Paint the town pink’ for Breast Cancer Awareness

The number of staff employed by the Western Trust increased by 917 from 9,216 in March 2019 to 10,133 in March 2024 – a ten per cent increase.

Western Trust workforce grows by 917 (10%) in five years and is now up to 10,133

A new intake of 260 doctors-in-training have been welcomed to the Western Trust, joining medical and surgical teams at hospitals across the area.

260 doctors-in-training welcomed to hospitals across the Western Trust

Over £30m was spent by the Western Trust on locum doctors last year, new figures have revealed.

Over £30m spent by Western Trust on locum doctors last year

Agencies received over £2m from the Western Trust for the provision of nurses during April and May.

Agencies received £2m from Western Trust for provision of nurses in two months

Almost half of all admissions under the mental health programme last year were in the Western Trust, according to new Department of Health figures.

Almost half of the North’s mental health admissions in Western Trust

The Western Trust recorded the lowest percentage of births of any health authority last year.

Western Trust records lowest percentage of births in the North at 16.7% (3,319)

Altnagelvin Hospital.

97,738 inpatient admissions in the Western Trust, 21.3% of North admissions

Jane designed the Western Trust’s new ‘motivational pass it on’ card to share with breastfeeding mothers.

Jane designs card to normalise breastfeeding – ‘The more seen, the less noticed’
A local volunteer has spoken of the importance of normalising breastfeeding, saying the ‘more it is seen the less it is going to be noticed’.
Kevin Mullan

Altnagelvin’s Crossroads Restaurant will be closed to staff and visitors over the weekend to allow for maintenance works, the Western Trust has advised.

Altnagelvin’s Crossroads Restaurant closed this weekend for maintenance

Representatives from North West BAPS, BBHF and Cuidui pictured at the launch of the North West BAPS banner at Free Derry Wall recently. North West BAPS will celebrate World Breast Feeding Week at the St Columb's Park House Walled Garden on 3rd August next. Photo: George Sweeney

Western Health Trust celebrates world breastfeeding week

Western Trust Community Dietetics Team Lead Warren Edwards.

'I always knew that I wanted to help people'

The Western Trust had the highest percentage of re-attendances at its emergency departments within seven days of first attendances last year.

Western Trust had highest percentage of repeat appearances at A&E

Eoin Kearney from Brendan Kearney & Company.

Western Trust to pay out almost £21m in medical negligence case

The new wing and entrance to Altnagelvin Hospital. (File picture) DER2126GS - 135

£3.1m lost due to outpatient no shows

Geraldine McKay, Director of Unscheduled Care, Medicine, Cancer and Clinical services; Celia Diver Hall (Lead Nurse/ Macmillan Nursing Service Manager), Noella Madden, Interim Assistant Director for Cancer Services Nursing; Sharon Street, service user; Debbie Hunter, Macmillan personalised care facilitator and Una Cardin, Assistant Director of Cancer and Diagnostics, Operational and Service Improvement, Acute Services.

New artwork installed at the North West Cancer Centre

Lauryn McLaughlin, Staff Midwife at Altnagelvin Hospital.

Western Trust Q&As: Musical midwife Lauryn McLaughlin

Altnagelvin Hospital.

Western Trust Reduces Healthcare-Associated Infections by Over 50%

Caroline Campbell and Denise Geary.

‘They are treated like ghosts, like they don’t exist’

John D’Arcy, The Open University, Teresa Frazer, winner of the Learning in Practice Award sponsored by The Open University and Rita Devlin, Director, RCN Northern Ireland. Pictures: Simon Graham

Derry nurses honoured at RCN Northern Ireland Nurse of the Year Awards 2024
Several talented nurses from Derry have been honoured with awards at the recent Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Northern Ireland Nurse of the Year Awards 2024, held at the Culloden Hotel, Holywood.
Laura Glenn

Passengers from the Western Trust and Northern Trust areas get ready to hop on board the Chat Tea Train/Chatty Carriage for the first collaborative train journey to coincide with Age NI Loneliness Awareness Week. 90 SmartPass holders travelled from Coleraine to North West Transport Hub and 90 SmartPass holders travelled from North West Transport Hub to Coleraine.

'Chat Tea Train/Chatty Carriage’ puts older people on track to friendship

The family of John Coyle handing over £3,143.00 to Sister Cathy O'Donnell at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Altnagelvin Hospital.

Family donate £3,143 to Altnagelvin ICU in memory of John Coyle

DUP Alderman Niree McMorris, SDLP Councillor Rory Farrell and Independent Councillor Gary Donnelly have all expressed concerns.

Concerns raised over occupational therapy waiting lists

Diabetes is a condition where there is too much glucose in the blood because the body cannot use it properly. If not managed well, both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can lead to devastating complications. Diabetes is one of the leading causes of preventable sight loss in people of working age in the UK and is a major cause of lower limb amputation, kidney failure, and stroke.

Diabetes awareness roadshows set to visit Western Trust area

Dr. Tom Frawley

Tom Frawley joins colleagues in expressing ‘deep concern’ over budget

Dr. Meabh Cosgrove, Western Trust Divisional Clinical Lead for Obstetrics and Gynaecology with staff at the official opening of a new antenatal clinic at Altnagelvin.

New antenatal clinic officially opened at Altnagelvin

Western Trust staff at the launch of the the new Minor Injuries Unit at Altnagelvin Hospital.

Altnagelvin new Minor Injuries Unit has already seen 2,000 patients

New figures from the Queen’s University NI Cancer Registry (NICR) show the Western Trust recorded the biggest increase in cancer diagnoses of any health authority over the period.

New report shows most common cancers in Western Trust with some types on rise

Fatima joined a walk across the Peace Bridge to Ebrington, returning to Guildhall Square accompanied by HSC NI Foster carers and their families, to promote the importance of foster care within the Western Trust area.

Olympic athlete Fatima Whitbread MBE joins Derry Foster Walk event

The number of mental health admissions in the Western Trust last year was more than double that of nearly every other health authority in the North.

Mental health is ‘Cinderella’ of health service, says MLA

The number of cases of cancer diagnosed among in the Western Trust rose by 5.7 per cent from 1,661 per year in 2018/2019 to 1,755 in 2021.

Cases of cancer diagnosed in Western Trust rose by 5.7 per cent to 1,755

There are over 400 people awaiting mental health assessment in the Western Health and Social Care Trust area. (file picture)

Over 400 children and adults on CAMHS waiting lists

Junior doctors striking for increased pay at Altnagelvin in March.

‘Significant disruption’ expected as junior doctors stage strike action in Derry

Robin Swann

New staff and triage improves Western Trust adult mental health position

How Fort George was envisioned around a decade ago.

Lack of development at Derry's Fort George raised

The Western Trust has urged women to continue to come forward for life-saving cervical screening after Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin raised concerns at Stormont.

Trust urges women to avail of life-saving cervical screening after MLA concerns

Over 680 untoward event notifications related to looked after children were reported by the Western Trust over the past years, the Department of Health has confirmed.

687 ‘untoward event’ notifications in relation to looked after children

SDLP Councillor Lilian Seenoi-Barr.

'Heartbreaking': Autism diagnosis delays forcing families to go private

Rapid Response Nursing Teams, Trustwide winners in the Working Together Team Award category.

45 great photos of Health Heroes from Derry Strabane & Limavady at the Western T...

Patient Feedback and Opinion Award Radiology Services Team - Trustwide - winnersPatient Feedback and Opinion Award Radiology Services Team - Trustwide - winners. (photos by Big Beard Photography)

Health heroes honoured at Western Trust awards

The fostering team is currently recruiting for all types of foster carers as part of their ‘Life’s a Journey – Could you be a part of mine? campaign.

Urgent need for foster carers in Western Trust area

Life expectancy among poorer Derry women has declined with a new report confirming health outcomes are 'significantly worse' in deprived areas.

Female life expectancy declines for poorer Derry women

Mayor Patricia Logue officially opens the Foyle Hospice Shop in Pennyburn Industrial Estate. Photo: George Sweeney

9 fun photos of new Foyle Hospice shop

Kevin Kelly handing over a cheque for £400 to Mayor Patricia Louge for the Mayor's Charity, from the Roaring Meg Bikers. Back, from left, are Gary Doherty, Kenny Quigley, William Mulhern and Mickey Kelly. (Photo - Tom Heaney, nwpresspics)

39 fine pictures celebrating community and sporting heroes in Derry & Strabane

A midwifery led-unit at Altnagelvin will reopen as soon as a midwife staffing shortage is addressed, Health Minister Robin Swann has said.

Altnagelvin midwifery-led unit will reopen as soon as staffing addressed: Swann

North West Cancer Centre

Nearly 8,000 cases of cancer diagnosed in Western Trust in five years

Robin Swann

352 patients supported by homeless nurse in Western Trust in one year

Eglinton ladies waiting to board the Chat-Tea Train from Waterside to Coleraine during a previous event.

All aboard the next 'Chat-Tea Train' from Derry to Coleraine