Latest releases
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2,847 releases
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Renewed focus on waiting lists needed - Dodds
DUP health spokesperson Diane Dodds MLA welcomes the appointment of Professor Mark Taylor to drive down waiting lists across Northern Ireland, saying patients need visible progress and hoping his role brings fresh urgency to waiting times and access to care.
Health Issue: Professor Mark Taylor appointment to tackle Northern Ireland waiting lists Original release: Renewed focus on waiting lists needed - Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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McGuigan welcomes appointment of Clinical Director for Elective Care
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan welcomes the Health Minister's appointment of Professor Mark Taylor to the newly created post of Elective Care lead, and says he will work with the minister to cut waiting lists using £215 million in this year's budget.
Health Issue: Professor Mark Taylor appointment to tackle Northern Ireland waiting lists Original release: McGuigan welcomes appointment of Clinical Director for Elective Care (opens in a new tab)
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Resolution needed to GP dispute to ensure patients get the care they need – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan urges the Health Minister to meet GP representatives urgently and seek a quick settlement of the GP dispute with the Department of Health, which has led to collective action this week. He says pressure on GPs is limiting patients' access to appointments.
Health Issue: GP collective action over Department of Health dispute Original release: Resolution needed to GP dispute to ensure patients get the care they need – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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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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TUV Condemns “Blasphemous Display” at Belfast Pride and Calls Out Public Sector Participation
TUV Equality Spokeswoman Ann McClure condemns a figure dressed as Jesus Christ in Belfast Pride's parade as offensive to Christians and says public sector bodies taking part will be challenged over Section 75 obligations and political neutrality.
Disability and equality Issue: Individual dressed as Jesus Christ at Belfast Pride parade Original release: TUV Condemns “Blasphemous Display” at Belfast Pride and Calls Out Public Sector Participation (opens in a new tab)
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Gaston writes to NICS head over “Pride” concerns
North Antrim TUV MLA Timothy Gaston says he has written to the Northern Ireland Civil Service head, Ms Brady, over NICS intranet promotion of Belfast Pride, questioning the basis for it and whether political sensitivities were considered. He asks about safeguards against endorsing political causes…
Disability and equality Issue: Civil Service participation in Belfast Pride FOI response Original release: Gaston writes to NICS head over “Pride” concerns (opens in a new tab)
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Pride more important than ever, says Murray, wishing all celebrating a happy Belfast Pride
Alliance councillor Micky Murray, a former Belfast Lord Mayor, wishes everyone celebrating Belfast Pride a safe and happy event, saying the 'No Going Back' theme is especially fitting given the present social climate.
Disability and equality Original release: Pride more important than ever, says Murray, wishing all celebrating a happy Belfast Pride (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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Pride and Prejudice – TUV FOI Exposes NICS knew participation in Pride was controversial, questions over Little-Pengelly role
TUV Equality spokesperson Ann McClure says a Freedom of Information response shows senior Civil Service officials knew Civil Service participation in Belfast Pride was politically sensitive, and questions whether ministers were consulted, including the DUP deputy First Minister. She calls for a…
Community relations and legacy Disability and equality Issue: Civil Service participation in Belfast Pride FOI response Original release: Pride and Prejudice – TUV FOI Exposes NICS knew participation in Pride was controversial, questions over Little-Pengelly role (opens in a new tab)
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Egan welcomes consultation on sexually explicit deepfake images by Justice Minister
Alliance Justice spokesperson Connie Egan MLA welcomes the Department of Justice consultation on proposals to criminalise creating and sharing sexually explicit deepfake images of adults, urging people to respond and citing the harm to victims.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Department of Justice consultation on deepfake content legislation Original release: Egan welcomes consultation on sexually explicit deepfake images by Justice Minister (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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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)