Latest releases
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2,846 releases
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Geo-blocking of Katie Taylor fight by RTÉ unacceptable – Murphy
Sinn Féin MLA Áine Murphy says it is unacceptable that RTÉ is geo-blocking Katie Taylor's fight, locking out viewers in the North. She calls on RTÉ to immediately reverse the decision.
Disability and equality Issue: RTÉ geo-blocking of Katie Taylor fight in Northern Ireland Original release: Geo-blocking of Katie Taylor fight by RTÉ unacceptable – Murphy (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 5 September 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Health Minister must deliver on new approach to hospital reform
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA urges Health Minister Robbie Butler to act on his pledges for rural services and avoid centralisation in hospital reform, citing Daisy Hill, Downe, SWAH and Causeway as cases where communities must be protected first.
Health Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Proposed Independent Reconfiguration Committee for hospital reform Original release: McGrath: Health Minister must deliver on new approach to hospital reform (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 11 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister highlights gynaecology care closer to home
Health Minister Robbie Butler highlights primary care gynaecology services, including HRT, heavy menstrual bleeding, LARC and pessary replacement, that avoid hospital referral, after visiting Lisnaskea Primary Care Centre. He says the model is reform in practice and cites around 650 patients…
Health Original release: Health Minister highlights gynaecology care closer to home (opens in a new tab)
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Expert committee announced to provide advice on major HSC service changes
The UUP says the Health Minister, Robbie Butler, has published the Hospitals consultation outcomes and will set up an independent reconfiguration committee to advise on major or controversial service changes, with its advice published. The party reports that hospital categorisation proposals will…
Health Issue: Proposed Independent Reconfiguration Committee for hospital reform Original release: Expert committee announced to provide advice on major HSC service changes (opens in a new tab)
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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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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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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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Gildernew urges public to submit responses on homelessness PMB before closing date
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew urges members of the public and organisations to send in evidence on his homelessness Private Member's Bill before the call for evidence closes on 3 September. The bill would extend the Housing Executive's support period for at-risk people from 28 to 60 days.
Housing Issue: Housing (Amendment) Bill call for evidence on homelessness support Original release: Gildernew urges public to submit responses on homelessness PMB before closing date (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)