Latest releases
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2,611 releases
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TUV write to Health Minister raising issues with gender identity service and demanding full transparency
TUV North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston writes to Health Minister Mike Nesbitt raising safeguarding concerns about the Department's new gender identity service, which he says appears to accept referrals without a lower age limit. He demands full disclosure of the policy's development, consultees and…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Health Minister's £800,000 gender identity service allocation Original release: TUV write to Health Minister raising issues with gender identity service and demanding full transparency (opens in a new tab)
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Chambers welcome new emphasis on waiting times
Ulster Unionist Health Spokesperson Alan Chambers welcomes the Health Minister’s creation of a senior role for Professor Mark Taylor to drive recovery of waiting times in Northern Ireland, calling the move a highly welcome decision that will help patients after long delays.
Health Issue: Professor Mark Taylor appointment to tackle Northern Ireland waiting lists Original release: Chambers welcome new emphasis on waiting times (opens in a new tab)
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McAllister reiterates call for the Health Minister to engage with GPs
Alliance health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA urges the Health Minister to immediately engage with GPs after the BMA announced collective action over a Department of Health funding settlement GPs voted against. She says the imposed package offers 50p against a stated £39 per patient requirement.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: GP collective action over Department of Health dispute Original release: McAllister reiterates call for the Health Minister to engage with GPs (opens in a new tab)
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Ní Chuilín welcomes investment for Brackenburn Clinic
Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín welcomes Department of Health investment in the Brackenburn Clinic, saying it is long overdue and will help trans people access timely, consent-based medical care. She urges the minister to ensure the clinic meets their needs.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Department of Health investment in Brackenburn Clinic Original release: Ní Chuilín welcomes investment for Brackenburn Clinic (opens in a new tab)
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Long pays tribute to early intervention counsellors in Nexus NI pilot project
Justice Minister Naomi Long pays tribute to counsellors delivering the Crisis De-escalation Service, a pilot early intervention scheme run by Nexus NI for survivors of sexual violence and abuse. She says it helps survivors while they wait for longer-term counselling.
Justice and policing Health Issue: Nexus NI Crisis De-escalation Service pilot visit Original release: Long pays tribute to early intervention counsellors in Nexus NI pilot project (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister’s priorities misplaced - Dodds
DUP MLA Diane Dodds says the Health Minister's £800,000 allocation to a gender identity service reflects misplaced priorities while patient waiting times and cancer pathways are under strain. She has written to the Health Committee Chair requesting officials appear to explain the service's…
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Health Minister's £800,000 gender identity service allocation Original release: Health Minister’s priorities misplaced - Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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Statutory public inquiry into cervical screenings only way to rebuild trust, says Guy
Alliance Lagan Valley MLA Michelle Guy calls for a statutory public inquiry into cervical screening after Public Health Agency data showed underperformance incidents across all Northern Ireland trusts. She urges the Health Minister to act urgently.
Health Issue: Public Health Agency cervical screening underperformance data across all trusts Original release: Statutory public inquiry into cervical screenings only way to rebuild trust, says Guy (opens in a new tab)
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Harkin: Stop Stealth Privatisation of Ambulance Service
People Before Profit's Harkin says a council motion in Derry City and Strabane calls on the Health Minister to halt privatisation of NI ambulance services, citing over £10m paid to private ambulance firms in 2024 and nearly £50m over five years.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Private ambulance company spending figures and NIAS privatisation concerns Original release: Harkin: Stop Stealth Privatisation of Ambulance Service (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister must take responsibility and address the crisis in autism services – Brogan
Sinn Féin West Tyrone MLA Nicola Brogan says the autism services crisis in the Western Trust is due to inaction by the Health Minister, citing over 3,000 people waiting for assessment, including 2,686 children, and calls for immediate, targeted investment in diagnostic capacity and staff.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Western Trust autism assessment waiting lists figures Original release: Health Minister must take responsibility and address the crisis in autism services – Brogan (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Public need answers on Ulster Hospital Emergency Department roof failure
SDLP MLA and Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath calls for immediate transparency on why the roof of the newly opened Ulster Hospital Emergency Department failed after a leak, forcing patients to be told to stay away unless life-threatening. He says he will write to the Health Minister on…
Health Infrastructure and transport Issue: Ulster Hospital Emergency Department roof failure and patient diversion Original release: McGrath: Public need answers on Ulster Hospital Emergency Department roof failure (opens in a new tab)
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Dillon Encourages responses to Breastfeeding Bill Consultation
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon launches a public consultation on her proposed Private Members Bill to give statutory protection to breastfeeding in public spaces and require businesses and service providers to be breastfeeding-friendly. The consultation runs until 24 October 2025.
Disability and equality Health Issue: Linda Dillon Private Members Bill breastfeeding consultation launch Original release: Dillon Encourages responses to Breastfeeding Bill Consultation (opens in a new tab)
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Other parties must step up and support Minister on tackling Lough Neagh crisis, says Blair following suspension of eel fishing
Alliance AERA spokesperson John Blair MLA says other parties must step up and support the Minister in tackling the Lough Neagh crisis, following the Lough Neagh Fishermen's Co-Operative Society's decision to suspend commercial eel fishing for the 2025 season.
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Lough Neagh commercial eel fishing suspended for remainder of 2025 season Original release: Other parties must step up and support Minister on tackling Lough Neagh crisis, says Blair following suspension of eel fishing (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone urges support after eel fishing suspended
SDLP AERA spokesperson Patsy McGlone MLA asks Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir for an immediate support package for businesses and seasonal workers hit by the suspension of eel fishing on Lough Neagh, which he blames on years of pollution and political inaction.
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Lough Neagh commercial eel fishing suspended for remainder of 2025 season Original release: McGlone urges support after eel fishing suspended (opens in a new tab)
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Minister must urgently establish financial support scheme for commercial fishermen – Kearney
SDLP... no, Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney urges the Agriculture Minister to set up a crisis support fund for eel fishermen after commercial eel fishing on Lough Neagh was suspended for the rest of the 2025 season. He also says the Irish government must engage directly, including meeting local…
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Issue: Lough Neagh commercial eel fishing suspended for remainder of 2025 season Original release: Minister must urgently establish financial support scheme for commercial fishermen – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Gannon: Western Trust must scrap SWAH consultation
SDLP councillor Adam Gannon, Group Leader on Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, says the Western Trust must scrap its consultation on ending emergency general surgery at Enniskillen's South West Acute Hospital after Health Minister Mike Nesbitt asked it to pause. He links the intervention to…
Health Issue: Health Minister orders Western Trust to halt SWAH emergency surgery consultation Original release: Gannon: Western Trust must scrap SWAH consultation (opens in a new tab)
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Onus now on Western Trust to rebuild public confidence – Cullen
Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen says the Western Trust must rebuild public confidence after the Health Minister ordered it to halt the South West Acute Hospital consultation on ending emergency general surgery there. She says only two events were held, not the comprehensive process she called for, and…
Health Issue: Health Minister orders Western Trust to halt SWAH emergency surgery consultation Original release: Onus now on Western Trust to rebuild public confidence – Cullen (opens in a new tab)
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Minister must urgently confirm funding for the Birch Hill Complex – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney calls on the Health Minister to urgently confirm a date for funding the new Birch Hill mental health complex in Antrim, after visiting Holywell Hospital and describing its deteriorating buildings as unfit for purpose.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Holywell Hospital visit and Birch Hill mental health funding delay Original release: Minister must urgently confirm funding for the Birch Hill Complex – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Consultation event postponement creates further anxiety to people of Fermanagh – Cullen
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Lengthy wait for red flag breast cancer referral ‘extremely concerning’ – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon says an eight-week minimum wait for diagnostic clinic investigation of a red flag breast cancer referral is extremely concerning and far exceeds the 14-day target. She has written to the Health Minister and calls on him to act now to reduce waits.
Health Issue: Red flag breast cancer referral waiting times at diagnostic clinics Original release: Lengthy wait for red flag breast cancer referral ‘extremely concerning’ – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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‘Serious public safety concerns remain and further questions need to be answered’ – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan says serious public safety concerns remain over a bonfire site in south Belfast's Village area after more asbestos was reportedly found there. He calls for a factual assessment of the asbestos and questions why the PSNI decided not to intervene.
Community relations and legacy Health Issue: Asbestos at bonfire site near Meridi Street, south Belfast Original release: ‘Serious public safety concerns remain and further questions need to be answered’ – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)