Latest releases
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1,998 releases
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McNulty presents 6,500-signature petition calling for CAR-T treatment closer to home
SDLP Newry and Armagh MLA Justin McNulty presents a petition of over 6,500 signatures to the Assembly calling for CAR-T cancer treatment to be available in Northern Ireland. He calls on the Executive to commission a local service and work with the Irish Government on all-island access in the…
Health Issue: CAR-T cancer treatment petition presented to Northern Ireland Assembly Original release: McNulty presents 6,500-signature petition calling for CAR-T treatment closer to home (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Neurology Services must be properly funded, says McReynolds
Alliance East Belfast MLA Peter McReynolds says £2.3 million in new neurology funding, announced alongside a Neurology Delivery Team, falls far short of the over £65m the Department's Regional Review said is needed. He calls on the Health Minister to act urgently to fully fund neurology services.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Health Minister's Neurology Delivery Team and £2.3m funding announcement Original release: Neurology Services must be properly funded, says McReynolds (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Bower welcomes passing of motion to make public spaces safer for those with severe allergies
Alliance Belfast Councillor Christine Bower welcomes the committee passage of her motion to make public spaces safer for people with severe allergies, ahead of full council ratification next month. She proposes child-friendly hand-washing signage at play parks, better-placed waste bins, staff…
Health Local government Issue: Belfast City Council motion on safer public spaces for severe allergies Original release: Bower welcomes passing of motion to make public spaces safer for those with severe allergies (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Ratcliffe supports Ladies with Letters’ demand for truth and accountability
TUV Councillor Keith Ratcliffe backs Ladies with Letters' call for an independent statutory public inquiry into the cervical screening scandal, after letters were delivered to MLAs at Stormont. He urges the Health Minister to reverse the May refusal of an inquiry.
Health Issue: Ladies with Letters cervical screening inquiry demand at Stormont Original release: Ratcliffe supports Ladies with Letters’ demand for truth and accountability (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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McGuigan welcomes delivery of 24/7 thrombectomy service
Sinn Féin's Philip McGuigan, North Antrim MLA and health spokesperson, welcomes the rollout of a round-the-clock thrombectomy stroke service across the North, saying patients are already benefiting. He pays tribute to specialist stroke teams and campaigners.
Health Issue: 24/7 thrombectomy stroke service introduction across Northern Ireland Original release: McGuigan welcomes delivery of 24/7 thrombectomy service (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 9 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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We Need An All-Island Health Configuration
People Before Profit's Marc Mac Seáin, Newry and Armagh representative, praises campaigners behind a Daisy Hill hospital public meeting and calls for an all-island health configuration, revoking the Bengoa Report, and a health minister committed to cross-border service planning, urging a mass…
Health Issue: Daisy Hill Hospital maternity services suspension Original release: We Need An All-Island Health Configuration (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 6 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Executive must act on empty homes
SDLP Opposition Communities Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA says the Executive is failing to tackle empty homes, citing Finance Minister figures of 22,817 vacant properties as of 30 June 2026 and calling for concrete action as homelessness rises.
Housing Issue: Finance Minister figures on vacant properties across Northern Ireland, June 2026 Original release: Durkan: Executive must act on empty homes (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Cancer patients need timely care and clear action on waiting times – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA and Health Committee Chair Philip McGuigan calls for clear targets, delivery dates and regular reporting to urgently cut cancer assessment and treatment waiting times, urging the Minister to match his acknowledgement with concrete action.
Health Original release: Cancer patients need timely care and clear action on waiting times – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Expansion of bowel cancer screening welcome – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA and Health Committee Chair Philip McGuigan welcomes the confirmed expansion of bowel cancer screening to younger people from November, saying earlier detection can save lives. He says full coverage for those aged 50 and over will not arrive until 2031 and will keep pressing for it…
Health Issue: Bowel cancer screening expansion to younger age groups from November Original release: Expansion of bowel cancer screening welcome – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan challenges Executive doublespeak on homelessness prevention
SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan says Executive parties' failure to deliver the Programme for Government pledge to prevent homelessness is a betrayal of 65,000 people, after the Communities Minister confirmed the First Minister refused to table a paper prioritising homelessness prevention funding.
Housing Issue: Executive refusal to table homelessness prevention funding paper Original release: Durkan challenges Executive doublespeak on homelessness prevention (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Butler announces major expansion of bowel cancer screening programme
UUP Health Minister Robbie Butler announces a phased widening of bowel cancer screening invitations, starting with those aged 59 from 2 November 2026, 58-year-olds from April 2027, and full eligibility for ages 50 to 74 by 2031.
Health Issue: Bowel cancer screening expansion to younger age groups from November Original release: Butler announces major expansion of bowel cancer screening programme (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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McAllister welcomes expansion of bowel cancer screening, emphasising need to ensure access to genetic testing as part of preventative approach
Alliance Health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA welcomes the extension of bowel cancer screening invitations to people aged 59 from November 2026 and 58-year-olds from April 2027. She calls for the phased age reduction to be completed quickly and for wider family access to genetic testing.
Health Issue: Bowel cancer screening expansion to younger age groups from November Original release: McAllister welcomes expansion of bowel cancer screening, emphasising need to ensure access to genetic testing as part of preventative approach (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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The Strategy of Drumcree March is to Save a Unionism that is in Crisis – Tóibín
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín says the DUP and Sinn Féin benefit from community division over the Drumcree-linked Orange Order march down the Garvaghy Road, claiming it distracts from hospital closures, housing and cost of living. He calls the decision to allow the march the most destabilising since…
Community relations and legacy Health Issue: Orange Order application to march down Garvaghy Road Original release: The Strategy of Drumcree March is to Save a Unionism that is in Crisis – Tóibín (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 3 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister announces Support While Waiting Grant Scheme
UUP reports Health Minister Robbie Butler has announced £500,000 to extend the Support While Waiting Grant Scheme for another year, funding voluntary groups to offer free support to people on HSCNI waiting lists. Applications open 25 September 2026 and close 6 November 2026.
Health Issue: Support While Waiting Grant Scheme extension announcement Original release: Health Minister announces Support While Waiting Grant Scheme (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Trust, Minister and Department must find solutions to Daisy Hill Maternity crisis – Hughes
Sinn Féin MP for Newry and Armagh Dáire Hughes calls on the Southern Trust, the health department and the Health Minister to find workable fixes for the Daisy Hill maternity crisis, saying local expectant mothers are anxious and warning of patient safety risks over capacity and travel times.
Health Issue: Daisy Hill Hospital maternity services crisis and possible relocation to Craigavon Original release: Trust, Minister and Department must find solutions to Daisy Hill Maternity crisis – Hughes (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Minister needs to fulfil promise of transparency and communication:…
DUP MLA Diane Dodds says the Health Minister must deliver on promised transparency after he failed to answer questions at the Health Committee on the youngest puberty blocker recipient and the Maternity Hospital handover review. She claims bowel screening and thrombectomy announcements were hard…
Health Issue: Health Committee questioning of Health Minister on transparency and communication Original release: Minister needs to fulfil promise of transparency and communication:… (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 1 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Calling it a final offer doesn't make it fair
UUP Finance Spokesperson Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA says the UK Government's latest funding package is not fair or sufficient despite its movement, calls for an agreed multi-year Budget, and urges the Secretary of State to stay open to further targeted support rather than threatening to set spending…
Public finance and taxation Health Issue: UK Government final offer on Northern Ireland funding package Original release: Calling it a final offer doesn't make it fair (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Carroll: Extern Offices Part of the Solution, Not the Problem
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll, after meeting Extern in Belfast, defends the charity's planned move of its Homeless Support Service office to King Street. He says the work is outreach-based, criticises misinformation about the move, and calls for services to stay in the city centre.
Housing Issue: Extern Homeless Support Service move to King Street Original release: Carroll: Extern Offices Part of the Solution, Not the Problem (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 3 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Inquiry on Cross-departmental funding for Suicide prevention launched – Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn, mental health spokesperson, says the Executive must provide a fair cross‑departmental funding package for suicide prevention and hold regular Executive Working Group meetings, after launching an All‑Party Group report on the issue.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: All‑Party Group report on cross‑departmental suicide prevention funding Original release: Inquiry on Cross-departmental funding for Suicide prevention launched – Flynn (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Paul Lawless Launches Mayo Bones Bus to Help Orthopaedic Patients Access Treatment
Aontú TD Paul Lawless announces the Mayo Bones Bus, an initiative to help people with hip, knee and other bone or joint conditions obtain information on cross-border treatment options amid long orthopaedic waiting lists. It follows his Mayo Cataract Bus, with an information session planned in…
Health Original release: Paul Lawless Launches Mayo Bones Bus to Help Orthopaedic Patients Access Treatment (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 24 September 2026 (opens in a new tab)