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3,946 releases
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Disappointment in Royal Victoria Emergency Department report further demonstrates need to prioritise patient safety, says Bradshaw
Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw, South Belfast MLA, says disappointment voiced by staff and unions over an RQIA report on the Royal Victoria Hospital Emergency Department shows patient safety is not being prioritised. She calls for an independent Patient Safety Commissioner, a Scrutiny…
Health Issue: RQIA inspection report on Royal Victoria Hospital Emergency Department Original release: Disappointment in Royal Victoria Emergency Department report further demonstrates need to prioritise patient safety, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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Egan calls for review of home to school transport across Northern Ireland
Alliance Education spokesperson Connie Egan, North Down MLA, calls for the Department of Education to restart its paused review of home to school transport, arguing current policy is not fit for purpose and that parents are still waiting for change four years after consultation began.
Education Infrastructure and transport Issue: Department of Education pause of home to school transport review Original release: Egan calls for review of home to school transport across Northern Ireland (opens in a new tab)
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Questions still remain surrounding blue-green algae, says Blair, following response from DAERA
Alliance spokesperson John Blair MLA says questions remain over blue-green algal blooms and water quality after a DAERA written response. He asks whether pollution contributed to the blooms, seeks transparency from the Department and Councils, and wants public awareness processes reviewed urgently.
Environment and climate Issue: DAERA written response on blue-green algae blooms in Lough Neagh Original release: Questions still remain surrounding blue-green algae, says Blair, following response from DAERA (opens in a new tab)
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Toxic algae highlights need for action on water quality – Archibald
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald says repeated toxic algae in sea and river locations this summer, including Castlerock and Portstewart, shows the need for action on water quality. She reports NIEA says meetings on River Basin Management Plan measures to cut nutrients at source will start in…
Environment and climate Issue: Toxic algae occurrences in Northern Ireland waters summer 2023 Original release: Toxic algae highlights need for action on water quality – Archibald (opens in a new tab)
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Dodds congratulates local students
DUP Education Spokesperson Diane Dodds congratulates local students on their AS and A Level results, saying local pupils again outperformed UK counterparts. She urges students to consider all options, including apprenticeships and Clearing, and promotes the CCEA results helpline open until 30…
Education Issue: AS and A Level results day 2023 Original release: Dodds congratulates local students (opens in a new tab)
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Butler Responds to Concerns Surrounding the Introduction of RSE
UUP Education Spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA says he has been contacted with concerns about compulsory Relationships and Sex Education, which the Secretary of State wants introduced, and calls for any new curriculum to be created by Northern Ireland parents, children and teachers rather than…
Education Issue: Secretary of State's plans to introduce compulsory RSE in Northern Ireland Original release: Butler Responds to Concerns Surrounding the Introduction of RSE (opens in a new tab)
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Swann Welcomes Progress on Tackling Health Agency Costs
Ulster Unionist MLA for North Antrim Robin Swann welcomes Department of Health figures showing off-Framework nursing agency use in Trusts fell from 72% before May 2023 to 1.5% in July 2023. He warns that the lack of an Executive could slow progress and criticises cuts to nursing and midwifery…
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Department of Health figures on off-Framework nursing agency use Original release: Swann Welcomes Progress on Tackling Health Agency Costs (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood to bring forward Bill to improve schools' careers advice when Assembly returns
Alliance MLA Sorcha Eastwood plans to introduce a members' bill on schools' careers advice when the Assembly resumes, aiming for consistent, independent and specialised guidance for all pupils. She says current provision is a lottery and that teachers are expected to carry too much of the burden.
Education Economy and employment Original release: Eastwood to bring forward Bill to improve schools' careers advice when Assembly returns (opens in a new tab)
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Murphy welcomes continuation of GP services at Brookeborough and Tempo practice
Sinn Féin MLA Áine Murphy welcomes confirmation that the Western Trust will take over the Brookeborough and Tempo Surgery contract from 1 September so patients can keep using the surgery. She urges the Department of Health to secure a permanent GP provider and calls for a health minister and…
Health Issue: Western Trust takeover of Brookeborough and Tempo Surgery GP contract Original release: Murphy welcomes continuation of GP services at Brookeborough and Tempo practice (opens in a new tab)
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Council inundated with complaints of vapes being sold to children, says Nelson
Alliance Belfast City Councillor Sam Nelson calls on vape shops in Belfast to take their responsibilities seriously and stop selling vapes to children. He says council test purchases found about 50% of child volunteers were able to buy one, and wants tougher regulation and education.
Health Local government Original release: Council inundated with complaints of vapes being sold to children, says Nelson (opens in a new tab)
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Outcomes welcome but serious questions remain over Urology Review, says Bradshaw
Alliance Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA says published outcomes from the recall of patients seen by a urology consultant are welcome, but calls for answers on serious questions and urgent reform, including an independent Patient Safety Commissioner.
Health Issue: Urology review patient recall outcomes publication Original release: Outcomes welcome but serious questions remain over Urology Review, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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RCN should clarify stance on united Ireland comments
DUP MP Gregory Campbell calls on the Royal College of Nursing to clarify whether it is appropriate for the college to take part in Northern Ireland's constitutional debate, after its General Secretary Pat Cullen reportedly said reunification was the NHS's only hope at a West Belfast event.
Constitutional affairs Health Issue: Pat Cullen reunification remarks at West Belfast event Original release: RCN should clarify stance on united Ireland comments (opens in a new tab)
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Egan calls for end to false information campaign on relationship and sex education
Alliance Education Spokesperson Connie Egan MLA urges an end to an online disinformation push about relationship and sex education in Northern Ireland, following a Department of Education letter to school principals on the subject. She says the Secretary of State's new RSE regulations for…
Education Issue: Department of Education letter to principals on RSE regulations Original release: Egan calls for end to false information campaign on relationship and sex education (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin write to Simon Harris regarding access of northern students to universities in the south – Delargy, Archibald, Finucane & Farrell
Sinn Féin MLAs Pádraig Delargy and Caoimhe Archibald, with John Finucane MP and TD Mairéad Farrell, have written to Minister Simon Harris calling for changes to how A Level results are converted in the CAO process, saying it makes university entry in the south hard for northern students.
Education Issue: CAO conversion of A Level results for northern students Original release: Sinn Féin write to Simon Harris regarding access of northern students to universities in the south – Delargy, Archibald, Finucane & Farrell (opens in a new tab)
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Cancer services spiralling into ever deeper crisis due to ongoing political impasse – Chambers
UUP Health Spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA warns that cancer patients are being failed as the 10 year cancer plan stalls without an Executive, with reforms and investments paused. He calls for the Executive to reform immediately and fund cancer services.
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Clarity needed on measures to investigate and tackle blue-green algae, says Alliance Party representatives
Alliance Party’s John Blair MLA, agriculture and environment spokesperson, and Causeway councillor Peter McCully urge DAERA to clarify and accelerate investigations into blue‑green algae outbreaks, assess any pollution link and publish findings, citing health risks and tourism impacts.
Environment and climate Issue: Blue‑green algae outbreaks affecting NI beaches Original release: Clarity needed on measures to investigate and tackle blue-green algae, says Alliance Party representatives (opens in a new tab)
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Health, housing and climate top agenda during Brisbane trip
Sinn Féin's Pearse Doherty and Matt Carthy, Finance and Foreign Affairs spokespeople, open a week-long Australian visit in Queensland, meeting the state's health minister and reviewing social housing, energy transition and jobs plans.
Housing Economy and employment Original release: Health, housing and climate top agenda during Brisbane trip (opens in a new tab)
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Bradshaw welcomes Enhancing Clinical Care Framework for care homes
Alliance health spokesperson and South Belfast MLA Paula Bradshaw welcomes the launch at Stormont of a framework for clinical care in care homes, praising its four pillars of prevention, early intervention, urgent care and palliative care. She calls for its principles to be extended to other areas…
Health Issue: Enhancing Clinical Care Framework launch for care homes at Stormont Original release: Bradshaw welcomes Enhancing Clinical Care Framework for care homes (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin remains resolute in opposition to Hightown Incinerator – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney says the party remains opposed to the proposed Hightown Incinerator after leading a cross-party delegation to Department for Infrastructure officials following a May court ruling. He says he will request a follow-up meeting with the Permanent Secretary.
Environment and climate Infrastructure and transport Issue: Hightown Incinerator planning application returned to Department for Infrastructure after court ruling Original release: Sinn Féin remains resolute in opposition to Hightown Incinerator – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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SF & Alliance must give clarity on Puberty Blockers
The DUP calls on Sinn Fein and the Alliance Party to clarify their position on whether children should be able to undergo puberty blocker treatment without parental consent, after Sinn Fein reportedly called for access for under-18s. Health spokesman Paul Givan describes the proposal as reckless…
Health Issue: Sinn Fein call for under-18 access to puberty blockers Original release: SF & Alliance must give clarity on Puberty Blockers (opens in a new tab)