At a meeting in Fermanagh, leaders from big parties backed plans from a group to bring back services at the South West Acute Hospital. The Western Trust stopped services because of safety fears, trouble hiring surgery staff, and tough legal duties. But the group says the long distance, travel time, and poor transport put lives at risk.
"My daughter died over 30 years ago in a farm accident. I still worry about families facing grief when help is far away," said Ms. McGovern. "Their child's survival chances are slim. They might live with thoughts of 'If only the ambulance came, if only we had a hospital, if only there was surgery for my child'...it's unthinkable."
"There will be lost lives," she said. "I think lives are already lost; more will be lost. Some people may lose a limb or suffer a lasting disability that could have been avoided if we had emergency services."
A check by the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority in Northern Ireland found no quick safety issues at Swah after surgery stopped. It suggests better pay and work terms for surgeons and setting up a team to bring them to the area.
Jimmy Hamill, a group member, says people feel strongly about losing services in Fermanagh. "Our hospital has empty space. We have two unused operating rooms and 92 empty beds. We think more room can help offer emergency services, like surgery, at South West Acute Hospital."
"When it happened, seeing her there was awful because I thought no one was here to help us. There's no one for her."
The Department of Health said SOAS's paper will be checked with all feedback on hospital changes.
"These replies count and are part of our review and response to feedback, with replies sent online and by email."
"For health and social care to work, we must improve all hospital sites. We need all space, but not everything can be done everywhere."