Latest releases
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3,807 releases
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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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Mason calls for action on costs of transport for schools
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason says rising school transport costs, including bus hire hikes, are forcing schools to cut services and leaving children unable to attend activities such as swimming. She says she challenged the Education Authority and will follow up for an explanation and resolution.
Education Infrastructure and transport Issue: Rising school bus hire costs and Education Authority transport communication breakdown Original release: Mason calls for action on costs of transport for schools (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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Welcome for Cookstown bypass plan
TUV Mid Ulster spokesman Glenn Moore welcomes the announcement of plans for a Cookstown bypass, saying local residents and traders have long called for it and that main street delays have worsened.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Cookstown bypass plans announcement Original release: Welcome for Cookstown bypass plan (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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McCrossan presses Minister for A5 progress
SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan presses Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd in Assembly questions for a publication date for the Planning Appeals Commission findings on the A5 redevelopment. He calls for a firm timeline for delivering the road, citing 50 deaths on the route since 2007.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: A5 road redevelopment Planning Appeals Commission findings publication Original release: McCrossan presses Minister for A5 progress (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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Brett – “long-term strategic investment decisions needed”
DUP North Belfast MLA Phillip Brett, chair of the Assembly's Economy Committee, speaks at Stormont for the NI Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Economic Survey, calling for strategic investment decisions by the Assembly and Executive and citing Industrial Derating and Small Business Rates Relief…
Economy and employment Public finance and taxation Issue: NI Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Economic Survey publication Original release: Brett – “long-term strategic investment decisions needed” (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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Legislation to protect homeowners with defective properties a ‘crucial step’ – Finucane
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane welcomes the communities minister's intention to introduce legislation protecting homeowners who claim compensation for defective properties. He says it will close a legal loophole and cites residents of Victoria Square apartments facing large costs.
Housing Issue: Communities minister legislation on compensation for defective homes Original release: Legislation to protect homeowners with defective properties a ‘crucial step’ – Finucane (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)
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O’Toole: Defective building legislation must help Victoria Square owners
SDLP MLA and Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole welcomes the Executive's commitment to extend the litigation limitation period for owners of defective property, but calls for the new law to be designed so Victoria Square owners can restart their legal action against developers.
Justice and policing Housing Issue: Communities minister legislation on compensation for defective homes Original release: O’Toole: Defective building legislation must help Victoria Square owners (opens in a new tab)
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Introduction of baby loss certificate important for bereaved families – Kimmins
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins says a certificate acknowledging pregnancy loss before 24 weeks would recognise bereaved families, and announces a motion at the Assembly on Monday backing a Baby Loss Certificate scheme. She welcomes the finance minister's commitment to review the scheme with the health…
Health Issue: Finance Minister review of early baby loss certificate scheme Original release: Introduction of baby loss certificate important for bereaved families – Kimmins (opens in a new tab)
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“Over 600 beds unavailable every day” – Dodds
DUP MLA Diane Dodds says 628 patients were kept in hospital unnecessarily on 15 March despite being fit to leave, calls for a dedicated team to be put in charge of resolving the bed blockage immediately, and says the figure is likely higher.
Health Issue: Health Minister figures on patients medically fit for discharge remaining in hospital Original release: “Over 600 beds unavailable every day” – Dodds (opens in a new tab)