Latest releases
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2,932 releases
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McGuigan calls for urgent action on Muckamore Inquiry recommendations
Sinn Féin health spokesperson Philip McGuigan MLA calls for progress and accountability on Muckamore Abbey Inquiry recommendations after meeting Action for Muckamore, who raised concerns about slow implementation. He urges the Department of Health to produce a timed roadmap covering each…
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People of Causeway Coast deserve better than disinformation on Emergency General Surgery, says Alliance representatives
Alliance Councillor Lee Kane says the Causeway Coast deserves better than disinformation from the DUP on the proposed consolidation of emergency general surgery at Antrim Area Hospital, urging an honest, evidence‑based debate, while Alderman Yvonne Boyle refutes claims that Causeway Hospital isbeing
Health Local government Issue: Causeway Hospital emergency surgery removal UUP leader comments Original release: People of Causeway Coast deserve better than disinformation on Emergency General Surgery, says Alliance representatives (opens in a new tab)
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Former DUP councillor Dr Kathryn Owen selected as Ulster Unionist candidate for Belfast South and Mid Down
UUP leader Jon Burrows announces that Dr Kathryn Owen, a former DUP councillor and ex-RAF medic, has been selected to contest the constituency at next year's Assembly poll. He hails her return to the party and her public health and hospital advocacy record.
Other Health Issue: Kathryn Owen selected as UUP candidate for Belfast South and Mid Down Original release: Former DUP councillor Dr Kathryn Owen selected as Ulster Unionist candidate for Belfast South and Mid Down (opens in a new tab)
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Butler must front up over deeply damaging health cuts
DUP MLAs Diane Dodds and Diane Forsythe call on Health Minister Robbie Butler to personally explain proposed Southern Health and Social Care Trust cuts, including a 12% three-year savings demand, after meeting Trust representatives.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Health Trust savings proposals and patient safety Original release: Butler must front up over deeply damaging health cuts (opens in a new tab)
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Harkin: Resist Damaging Cuts to Health Service
People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin opposes proposed 12% cuts to the health service, joining healthcare workers at the Altnagelvin protest and the Western Trust board meeting. He calls on Trust representatives to refuse further cuts and urges wide support for the trade union campaign against…
Health Economy and employment Issue: Health Trust savings proposals and patient safety Original release: Harkin: Resist Damaging Cuts to Health Service (opens in a new tab)
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Burrows: We want to do business with the Prime Minister to make Northern Ireland thrive
UUP Leader Jon Burrows MLA says the meeting with Prime Minister Andy Burnham was constructive and delivered three priorities – a multi‑year budget, strategic economic investment and a transformed health service – to help Northern Ireland thrive.
Economy and employment Health Issue: UUP meeting with Prime Minister Andy Burnham Original release: Burrows: We want to do business with the Prime Minister to make Northern Ireland thrive (opens in a new tab)
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Gas customers must not be overlooked following 18.97% price rise - Allen
UUP MLA Andy Allen calls for urgent support for households most at risk after SSE Airtricity announced an 18.97% gas price rise from 1 October, affecting over 200,000 domestic customers in Greater Belfast and West networks. He urges the Executive to target help at gas-heated homes, and the Utility…
Economy and employment Social security and welfare Issue: SSE Airtricity 18.97% gas price increase from 1 October Original release: Gas customers must not be overlooked following 18.97% price rise - Allen (opens in a new tab)
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Carroll: "Efficiency Savings" a Cover for Cuts that Will Hurt Patients, Lowest Paid Workers
People Before Profit's Gerry Carroll says the proposed 12% health‑trust savings over three years are a cover for cuts that will damage patients and the lowest‑paid staff, urges a needs‑based budget funded by a wealth tax and pledges support for health‑worker action.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Health Trust savings proposals and patient safety Original release: Carroll: "Efficiency Savings" a Cover for Cuts that Will Hurt Patients, Lowest Paid Workers (opens in a new tab)
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Patients and frontline services must be protected from health cuts – McGuigan
Sinn Féin health spokesperson Philip McGuigan MLA says patients and frontline staff must not bear the cost of British government underfunding, warning that savings demanded from health trusts could cut community and elective care. He calls for the Department of Health and trusts to publish the…
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Health trust savings demands and funding pressures in Northern Ireland Original release: Patients and frontline services must be protected from health cuts – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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Latest data shows urgent need to tackle the severe staffing shortages in healthcare – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan expresses concern over the latest HSC Active Recruitment and Quarterly Workforce Statistics, which show 2,005 nursing and midwifery posts under active recruitment. He calls on the new Health Minister to resolve the pay award dispute with the RCN and trade unions and…
Health Economy and employment Issue: Latest HSC Active Recruitment and Quarterly Workforce Statistics publication Original release: Latest data shows urgent need to tackle the severe staffing shortages in healthcare – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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Health savings won’t be allowed to come at expense of patient safety – Chambers
UUP health spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA says patient safety must come first as Health Trusts consider savings proposals, warning financial targets cannot dictate safe care. He blames the Executive's failure to agree a Budget and calls for Westminster to recognise funding pressures.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Health Trust savings proposals and patient safety Original release: Health savings won’t be allowed to come at expense of patient safety – Chambers (opens in a new tab)
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Heating Oil Support Scheme a welcome help for households: Cameron
DUP MLA Pam Cameron welcomes the Home Heating Oil Support Scheme, which offers £100 vouchers to around 340,000 Northern Ireland households, and urges eligible people to apply when applications open on 9 September.
Economy and employment Social security and welfare Issue: Home heating oil £100 voucher support scheme announcement Original release: Heating Oil Support Scheme a welcome help for households: Cameron (opens in a new tab)
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Lyons announces opening date for Home Heating Oil Support Scheme
DUP's Communities Minister Gordon Lyons announces that applications for the £100 heating oil voucher scheme open on 9 September 2026 for about 340,000 eligible households, and urges people to check criteria beforehand. He says he will press for Warm Healthy Homes Strategy funding and will announce…
Social security and welfare Economy and employment Issue: Home heating oil £100 voucher support scheme announcement Original release: Lyons announces opening date for Home Heating Oil Support Scheme (opens in a new tab)
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Oil Payment welcome, but energy efficiency must remain a priority – Allen
East Belfast UUP MLA and Communities Spokesperson Andy Allen MBE welcomes the start of £100 home heating oil payments from September but says the delay shows a framework is needed to deliver future support faster. He calls for energy efficiency measures and Warm Healthy Homes Strategy delivery to…
Economy and employment Social security and welfare Issue: Home heating oil £100 voucher support scheme announcement Original release: Oil Payment welcome, but energy efficiency must remain a priority – Allen (opens in a new tab)
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Cullen calls for urgent action on Friedreich’s Ataxia drug and an all-island approach to healthcare
Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen calls for urgent action so patients with Friedreich's Ataxia in the North can access Skyclarys, after the HSE approved its reimbursement in the South. She also urges an all-island approach to healthcare coordination and access to innovative treatments.
Health Disability and equality Issue: HSE approval of Skyclarys for Friedreich's Ataxia reimbursement Original release: Cullen calls for urgent action on Friedreich’s Ataxia drug and an all-island approach to healthcare (opens in a new tab)
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Orchestrated campaign against Causeway Hospital continues
TUV leader Jim Allister, the North Antrim MP, accuses the Northern Trust of talking down to people who rely on Causeway Hospital and says it ignored a consultation where under 2% backed its plans. He also demands publication of staff response breakdowns and the data behind the proposal.
Health Issue: Causeway Hospital emergency surgery removal UUP leader comments Original release: Orchestrated campaign against Causeway Hospital continues (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister Robbie Butler visits Bryson Charitable Group on first day in post
Health Minister Robbie Butler says he visited Bryson Charitable Group in Belfast on his first full day in post, hearing about its homecare work and anti-poverty efforts. He stresses the importance of community and voluntary sector partners to his Department's Neighbourhood Model of Care and says…
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Dodds: New Health Minister faces enormous challenges
DUP health spokesperson Diane Dodds MLA says incoming Health Minister Robbie Butler has a heavy workload and urges him to act quickly on pay, morale, GP strain, cancer waiting times and the Muckamore report. She also asks whether he will continue Mike Nesbitt's approach or reset it.
Health Original release: Dodds: New Health Minister faces enormous challenges (opens in a new tab)
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Robbie Butler MLA appointed Minister of Health
UUP Leader Jon Burrows MLA says he has nominated Robbie Butler MLA to become Northern Ireland’s next Minister of Health, pledging full confidence and urging swift, patient‑focused reforms to improve access to care.
Health Issue: Robbie Butler appointed Health Minister after Mike Nesbitt resignation Original release: Robbie Butler MLA appointed Minister of Health (opens in a new tab)
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Butler cannot be yet another caretaker Health Minister, says McAllister
Alliance spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA congratulates Robbie Butler on becoming Health Minister after Mike Nesbitt's departure, but says he must not be a stopgap, urging him to prioritise health service reform and difficult decisions.
Health Issue: Robbie Butler appointed Health Minister after Mike Nesbitt resignation Original release: Butler cannot be yet another caretaker Health Minister, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)