Latest releases
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3,482 releases
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Brown resigns as MLA with immediate effect
Alliance announces that South Down MLA Patrick Brown has resigned with immediate effect for personal reasons, thanking him for his service. Brown says he is stepping aside after ten years as an elected representative and pledges continued support for Alliance.
Other Issue: Patrick Brown resignation as South Down MLA Original release: Brown resigns as MLA with immediate effect (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Disappointment for health staff and patients as Assembly backs free parking delay
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath says health staff and patients will be very disappointed after the Assembly approved a two‑year delay to free hospital parking, and urges the Health Minister to introduce the scheme as soon as possible.
Health Issue: Assembly legislation delaying abolition of hospital parking charges Original release: McGrath: Disappointment for health staff and patients as Assembly backs free parking delay (opens in a new tab)
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Blair commends disposable vape ban on Earth Day 2024
Alliance's environment spokesperson John Blair MLA backs the DAERA Minister's proposed ban on disposable vapes on Earth Day, arguing they add plastic waste that litters streets and harms oceans and wildlife.
Environment and climate Issue: DAERA proposed ban on disposable vapes in Northern Ireland Original release: Blair commends disposable vape ban on Earth Day 2024 (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP Opposition proposes amendment to expedite free hospital car parking
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath has tabled an amendment to cut the Executive's proposed two-year delay to free hospital car parking to one year. He says the system could be in place by autumn and urges the Health Minister to commit to free staff parking without delay.
Health Issue: Assembly legislation delaying abolition of hospital parking charges Original release: SDLP Opposition proposes amendment to expedite free hospital car parking (opens in a new tab)
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This must be decision week for the Budget – Beattie
UUP Leader Doug Beattie says the Executive must make decisions this week on a new 2024/25 Budget, warning that continued delay is destabilising and damaging core services such as health. He urges the Finance Minister's paper to move to the Executive table and money to be allocated urgently.
Public finance and taxation Health Issue: Executive 2024/25 Budget agreement delay Original release: This must be decision week for the Budget – Beattie (opens in a new tab)
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Parties need to be clear on “gender-affirming healthcare”
DUP MP Carla Lockhart calls on parties to state their position on gender-affirming healthcare and asks the Health Minister to clarify the Department of Health's approach following the Cass Report. She accuses Alliance and Sinn Féin of silence since its publication.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Cass Report publication on gender-affirming healthcare Original release: Parties need to be clear on “gender-affirming healthcare” (opens in a new tab)
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TUV councillors welcome Freedom of Causeway Coast and Glens to health and care workers
TUV councillors Allister Kyle and Jonathan McCauley welcome Causeway Coast and Glens Council's decision to award its Freedom to the NHS and health and care workers in recognition of their work during the COVID pandemic.
Health Local government Issue: Causeway Coast and Glens Council Freedom award to NHS health and care workers Original release: TUV councillors welcome Freedom of Causeway Coast and Glens to health and care workers (opens in a new tab)
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Urgent action needed to ensure victims and survivors not left behind
Alliance MLA Connie Egan, Executive Office Committee Deputy Chair, says urgent action is needed so victims are not left behind, calling for a trauma-focused Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme process, a backdated payments deadline extension, and a bereavement payment scheme.
Community relations and legacy Disability and equality Original release: Urgent action needed to ensure victims and survivors not left behind (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Surgeons ‘SOS’ warning deeply concerning
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath says he is disturbed by surgeons' "SOS" warning on surgical waiting lists, raised at a Royal College of Surgeons briefing to the Health Committee. He calls for action from the Health Minister and department on waiting lists.
Health Issue: Royal College of Surgeons SOS warning on surgical waiting lists Original release: McGrath: Surgeons ‘SOS’ warning deeply concerning (opens in a new tab)
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Speech and language therapy must be fully resourced – Baker
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker says urgent action is needed after a Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists report found children in Northern Ireland wait longer than anywhere else on these islands for speech and language therapy. He says he will work with parties and executive ministers on…
Health Issue: Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists report on children's therapy waiting times Original release: Speech and language therapy must be fully resourced – Baker (opens in a new tab)
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Early intervention with speech and language therapy for children crucial for development, says Donnelly, responding to report
Alliance Health spokesperson Danny Donnelly MLA says more must be done on early intervention speech and language therapy for children, responding to an RCSLT report showing a 85% rise in children waiting for appointments in Northern Ireland since 2021. He calls for more speech and language…
Health Issue: Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists report on children's therapy waiting times Original release: Early intervention with speech and language therapy for children crucial for development, says Donnelly, responding to report (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath challenges Minister to commit to free parking for hospital staff
SDLP health spokesperson Colin McGrath, a South Down MLA, urges Health Minister Robin Swann to set a guaranteed timescale and interim exemption for hospital staff parking charges. He says the delay to the Hospital Parking Charges Bill, pushed through by accelerated passage, leaves staff facing…
Health Economy and employment Issue: Assembly legislation delaying abolition of hospital parking charges Original release: McGrath challenges Minister to commit to free parking for hospital staff (opens in a new tab)
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Health minister must work to abolish hospital parking charges as soon as possible – Kimmins
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins says the health minister must urgently work to abolish hospital parking charges after legislation moved in the Assembly delayed their abolition for up to two years. She calls for the department to quickly put the necessary infrastructure in place.
Health Issue: Assembly legislation delaying abolition of hospital parking charges Original release: Health minister must work to abolish hospital parking charges as soon as possible – Kimmins (opens in a new tab)
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GPs need urgent support – Kimmins
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins calls on the health minister to bring forward a plan to tackle problems facing GPs, including transforming general practice and prioritising recruitment and retention of staff, after a Royal College of GPs report.
Health Issue: Royal College of GPs report on general practice pressures Original release: GPs need urgent support – Kimmins (opens in a new tab)
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Dodds – “it’s essential that GP issues are resolved”
DUP Upper Bann MLA Diane Dodds responds to the RCGPNI report 'A Workforce Fit for the Future', calling the morning phone rush for GP appointments unacceptable and urging expanded multidisciplinary teams, more GP incentives and faster indemnity for primary care.
Health Issue: RCGPNI 'A Workforce Fit for the Future' report on GP retention Original release: Dodds – “it’s essential that GP issues are resolved” (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin’s Commission on the Future of Ireland to host ‘Rights in a New Ireland’ Conference
Disability and equality Constitutional affairs Original release: Sinn Féin’s Commission on the Future of Ireland to host ‘Rights in a New Ireland’ Conference (opens in a new tab)
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We’re developing a two-tier health system in NI, says McAllister, regarding children’s waiting lists report
Alliance Health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA says children's health waiting lists are unacceptable and calls for appropriate funding and an expert-informed action plan with transparency over how money is spent. She cites an RCPCH report showing a record 22,272 children waiting and claims a…
Health Issue: Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health report on children's waiting lists Original release: We’re developing a two-tier health system in NI, says McAllister, regarding children’s waiting lists report (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister must take action to avoid deepening GP workforce crisis, says McAllister
Alliance Health Spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA calls on the Health Minister to act on the Royal College of GPs' new strategy on GP workforce retention, citing low-cost options such as visa support for recruiting staff, a state-backed indemnity scheme and a review of uptake of the Attract…
Health Issue: Royal College of GPs report on general practice pressures Original release: Health Minister must take action to avoid deepening GP workforce crisis, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)
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Action needed to tackle children’s waiting lists – Kimmins
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins calls for a plan to tackle children's waiting lists after a Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health report, noting over 22,000 children are waiting for various treatments. She urges the health minister to set out steps to reduce the backlog.
Health Issue: Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health report on children's waiting lists Original release: Action needed to tackle children’s waiting lists – Kimmins (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Children being failed by health system
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath says children are being failed by long waits for healthcare, citing the RCPCH report on paediatric waiting times in Northern Ireland. He calls on the Health Minister to take forward its solutions and bring legislative changes to the Executive.
Health Issue: Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health report on children's waiting lists Original release: McGrath: Children being failed by health system (opens in a new tab)