Latest releases
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3,215 releases
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Sinn Féin representatives welcome Health Minister to Dungannon respite facility
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew and Councillor Nuala McLernon welcome the Health Minister's visit to Woodlawn House in Dungannon, which provides adult respite for people with learning disabilities, and call for urgent action on repeated last-minute respite cancellations.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Health Minister visit to Woodlawn House Dungannon respite facility Original release: Sinn Féin representatives welcome Health Minister to Dungannon respite facility (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin secures review into social services after raising concerns with Minister
SDLP Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin welcomes Health Minister Mike Nesbitt's confirmation that officials will review how social services operate alongside family courts, after she raised parents' cases with him. She says the review must move quickly and questions why concerns did not reach the…
Health Issue: Health Department review of social services and family courts Original release: McLaughlin secures review into social services after raising concerns with Minister (opens in a new tab)
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High number of social work vacancies ‘alarming’ – Ní Chuilín
Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín says more than 80 social work posts are vacant in the Belfast Trust, calling the figure alarming and urging the Department of Health to fill the posts urgently so staff are not overstretched and vulnerable people receive care.
Health Issue: Belfast Trust social work vacancies Original release: High number of social work vacancies ‘alarming’ – Ní Chuilín (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath expresses concern about health service funding
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says he is concerned about future health service funding, pressing Health Minister Mike Nesbitt in the Assembly over a projected £200m overspend this year and its effect on next year's budget.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Health department projected £200m overspend and future funding concerns Original release: McGrath expresses concern about health service funding (opens in a new tab)
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Significant Reduction in Endoscopy Waiting Lists
UUP Health Minister Mike Nesbitt welcomes a 62% fall in endoscopy waiting lists to their lowest level since before COVID-19, citing regional endoscopy centres at Lagan Valley and Omagh hospitals and independent-sector insourcing. The release says recurrent funding is being sought to bring this…
Health Issue: Endoscopy waiting list reduction figures October 2025 Original release: Significant Reduction in Endoscopy Waiting Lists (opens in a new tab)
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Minister must expedite approval of funding for the Birch Hill Centre for Mental Health – Kearney
Sinn Féin's Declan Kearney, South Antrim MLA, calls on the Health Minister to expedite approval of funding for the Birch Hill Centre for Mental Health and confirm a clear timeframe, citing unsustainable conditions at Holywell Hospital in Antrim.
Health Issue: Birch Hill Centre for Mental Health funding approval Original release: Minister must expedite approval of funding for the Birch Hill Centre for Mental Health – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Statement from the Democratic Unionist Party
The DUP welcomes the publication of the latest UK Covid Inquiry report, expressing sympathy for those bereaved and saying its Ministers prioritised what they believed were Northern Ireland's best interests. It says the party cooperated fully with the Inquiry and commits to acting on lessons for…
Health Issue: Covid Inquiry second report findings Original release: Statement from the Democratic Unionist Party (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: Covid Inquiry findings highlight lack of political leadership
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole says the Covid-19 Inquiry findings show a lack of political leadership at Stormont and calls for a serious programme of institutional reform. He accuses Sinn Féin and the DUP of prioritising partisan interests over public safety during the pandemic.
Health Issue: Covid Inquiry second report findings Original release: O’Toole: Covid Inquiry findings highlight lack of political leadership (opens in a new tab)
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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 Issue: Executive response to UK Covid-19 Inquiry Module 1 findings 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 Issue: NISRA suicide figures rise in Northern Ireland 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 Issue: Northern Ireland Cancer Research Strategic Framework publication Original release: New Cancer Research Strategic Framework for Northern Ireland (opens in a new tab)
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Troubles Bill Must Protect Victims, Not Empower Terrorists
UUP MP Robin Swann publishes nine amendments he has tabled to the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill ahead of its Commons Committee Stage, saying they would protect victims and stop terrorists benefiting from the legacy process. He urges MPs from all sides to support them.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Northern Ireland Troubles Bill Committee Stage amendments Original release: Troubles Bill Must Protect Victims, Not Empower Terrorists (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 Issue: Covid Inquiry second report findings Original release: Ulster Unionist Party comments on Covid Inquiry Findings (opens in a new tab)
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Victims and survivors of clerical abuse must be given clarity on next steps, says Bradshaw
Alliance TEO spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA says victims and survivors of clerical abuse need clarity from the Stormont First and deputy First Minister on how they will respond to recommendations in commissioned research into historic clerical child abuse.
Community relations and legacy Issue: Commissioned research recommendations on historic clerical child abuse Original release: Victims and survivors of clerical abuse must be given clarity on next steps, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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We cannot simply give division a facelift, says Nelson, on proposal to remove 'peace wall'
Alliance Councillor Sam Nelson calls on Belfast City Council to fully remove the 'peace wall' in Alexandra Park rather than redesign it, ahead of a committee discussion of his proposal on Friday. He says the €13.5 million PEACEPLUS-funded project should deliver complete removal.
Community relations and legacy Local government Issue: Alexandra Park 'peace wall' removal proposal before Belfast council committee Original release: We cannot simply give division a facelift, says Nelson, on proposal to remove 'peace wall' (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 Issue: Covid Inquiry second report findings Original release: Covid Inquiry underscores need for Stormont reform, says Tennyson (opens in a new tab)
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Robinson – Bill builds on 1998 corruption of justice
DUP Leader Gavin Robinson MP warns the Government's Legacy Bill is unfit and needs major amendment to win victims' confidence. He says it is built on the 1998 foundations, lacks protections for veterans, and excludes the Omagh bombing from the Legacy Commission's remit.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Legacy Bill Second Reading in the Commons Original release: Robinson – Bill builds on 1998 corruption of justice (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 Issue: Minister's confirmation that £70m of ring-fenced waiting list funding was redirected Original release: Cancer delays are costing lives - Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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Weakened legacy legislation will not be accepted – Finucane
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane says the Westminster legacy legislation must not be weakened from the British and Irish governments' joint framework and rejects any reported further dilution. He also opposes any shielding of British military personnel suspected of criminal acts, including murder, from…
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Westminster legacy legislation progress under the joint legacy framework Original release: Weakened legacy legislation will not be accepted – Finucane (opens in a new tab)