Latest releases
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2,932 releases
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Health Minister: Small steps can make a big difference this winter
The Department of Health, speaking through Health Minister Mike Nesbitt during National Self-Care Week, urges the public to manage their physical health and mental wellbeing this winter, check on older neighbours, and use community pharmacies via the Pharmacy First service for minor illnesses.
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First and deputy First Minister’s response to Covid-19 Inquiry inadequate, says Bradshaw
Alliance Executive Office spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA says the Executive's response to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry is inadequate and calls for independent expert input. She criticises the planned inter-departmental committee and calls for collegiate decision-making led from the Executive Office…
Health Constitutional affairs Original release: First and deputy First Minister’s response to Covid-19 Inquiry inadequate, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath expresses concern at rise in suicides
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA raises serious concern at rising suicide figures in Northern Ireland, citing NISRA three-year averages rising to 238.0 in 2024, and calls for an Executive-wide response addressing underlying issues.
Health Original release: McGrath expresses concern at rise in suicides (opens in a new tab)
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New Cancer Research Strategic Framework for Northern Ireland
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has published a new Cancer Research Strategic Framework for Northern Ireland, aiming to boost research, innovation and collaboration, increase clinical trial participation and improve patient outcomes. A Cancer Research Advisory Group will oversee delivery.
Health Original release: New Cancer Research Strategic Framework for Northern Ireland (opens in a new tab)
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Ulster Unionist Party comments on Covid Inquiry Findings
UUP responds to the Covid Inquiry's second report on core decision-making and political governance, saying it will examine the findings to ensure lessons are learned. It says the inquiry confirmed Michelle O'Neill's attendance at a funeral during the Deputy First Minister period was a mistake that…
Health Original release: Ulster Unionist Party comments on Covid Inquiry Findings (opens in a new tab)
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Covid Inquiry underscores need for Stormont reform, says Tennyson
Alliance Deputy Leader Eóin Tennyson MLA says the Covid Inquiry’s second report shows cross‑community votes were misused, creating dysfunctional decision‑making, and calls on the Secretary of State to begin Stormont power‑sharing reform with local parties and the Irish Government.
Constitutional affairs Health Original release: Covid Inquiry underscores need for Stormont reform, says Tennyson (opens in a new tab)
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Cllr Flynn welcomes supreme court ruling on religious education in schools
Green Party councillor Flynn welcomes the Supreme Court judgment on compulsory religious worship in Northern Ireland schools, urging the Executive to act quickly to overhaul the education framework so pupils from all backgrounds, including non-religious families, feel respected.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Supreme Court ruling on mandatory Christian worship in NI schools Original release: Cllr Flynn welcomes supreme court ruling on religious education in schools (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 20 November 2025 (opens in a new tab)
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Cancer delays are costing lives - Dodds
DUP Health Spokesperson Diane Dodds MLA urges immediate action from the Health Minister on cancer treatment delays, citing a 41-year-old woman's 112-day referral-to-treatment wait and questioning the diversion of around £70m of ring-fenced waiting list funding.
Health Public finance and taxation Original release: Cancer delays are costing lives - Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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Health funding redirection only further demonstrates minister's financial mismanagement, says McAllister
Alliance Health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA says the diversion of over £70m of £215m ring-fenced for waiting lists to cut the Department of Health's budget deficit shows the Health Minister cannot manage his budget. She calls on him to clarify other ring-fenced funds redirected and urges…
Health Public finance and taxation Original release: Health funding redirection only further demonstrates minister's financial mismanagement, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)
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All-island healthcare helps save lives and creates economic opportunities – Senator Conor Murphy
Sinn Féin Seanad leader Senator Conor Murphy says Oireachtas Good Friday Agreement Committee presentations on the All-Island Cancer Research Institute and All-Island Congenital Heart Disease Network show all-island healthcare coordination saves lives and creates economic opportunities. He calls…
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TUV Chairman Allister Kyle Welcomes New MRI Scanner at Causeway Hospital
TUV chairman Kyle welcomes a new £3.07 million MRI scanner installed at Causeway Hospital in August, saying it will end local patients' need to travel to Antrim for routine scans. He credits Northern Trust staff and says it will help cut waiting times.
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Dillon welcomes changes to pensions for those diagnosed with a terminal illness
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon welcomes changes allowing people with a terminal diagnosis of one year to live to access pensions early from the Pension Protection Fund and Financial Assistance Scheme. She calls for the early payout to be extended to everyone facing an incurable illness.
Social security and welfare Original release: Dillon welcomes changes to pensions for those diagnosed with a terminal illness (opens in a new tab)
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Health service must be fit for purpose for patients and workers – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLAs Philip McGuigan and Linda Dillon say they pressed the Health Minister at a committee meeting to pay social care workers a real living wage, and to resolve the GP contract dispute urgently. McGuigan also raised waiting lists and cancer services.
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Allister meets RNIB in Westminster
TUV MP Jim Allister thanks the RNIB after a Westminster meeting, praising its vision rehabilitation teams and guide dog work, and cites local figures of about 3,470 people in North Antrim with sight loss and roughly 130 new cases each year.
Disability and equality Health Original release: Allister meets RNIB in Westminster (opens in a new tab)
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An all-Ireland health system would deliver better services – Cullen
Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen says two separate healthcare systems on the island are failing people and calls for an all-island national health service. He urges the Irish government to start preparing for such a system, which would make specialist care available north and south based on need.
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The NHS was built on the principle of universal access, free at the point of delivery
The Ulster Unionist Party rejects a suggestion that Northern Ireland replace its NHS-based GP model with a Republic-style medical card system, arguing health inequalities stem from wider socioeconomic factors. It backs Health Minister Mike Nesbitt's £12 million GP pay award and says it will never…
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Health Minister formally opens new MRI scanner unit at Causeway Hospital
UUP Health Minister Mike Nesbitt inaugurated a state‑of‑the‑art MRI scanner at Causeway Hospital, saying it will boost the Northern Health & Social Care Trust’s imaging capacity and cut patient waiting times by ending transfers to Antrim Area Hospital.
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Assembly backs cost of living motion – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew welcomes the Assembly's backing of his party's cost of living motion, urging Communities Minister Gordon Lyons to strengthen proposals for tackling poverty amid families struggling to afford food and heating.
Social security and welfare Economy and employment Original release: Assembly backs cost of living motion – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Focus should be on realistic solutions to health service challenges
DUP Health Spokesperson Diane Dodds MLA says Northern Ireland's health service needs practical investment and reform, and calls proposals for an all-Ireland healthcare system unnecessary and unrealistic. She says General Practice pressures should be tackled locally through workforce stability and…
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Doherty named as Right to Food Commissioner
SDLP councillor Paul Doherty says he has been named to the Right to Food Commission, which will gather evidence across Britain and the North on hunger and foodbanks. He says he will represent the North and push for policy shaped by people with lived experience of poverty.
Social security and welfare Local government Original release: Doherty named as Right to Food Commissioner (opens in a new tab)