Latest from SDLP
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330 releases
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McGrath: Patients Are Waiting While Executive Fails to Deliver Budget
SDLP South Down MLA Colin McGrath says Executive inaction on a budget is leaving patients exposed as emergency department waiting times worsen, citing September figures and Ulster Hospital performance. He calls for funding to plan winter pressures, staffing and services, including fuller use of…
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Department of Health emergency department waiting times statistics September Original release: McGrath: Patients Are Waiting While Executive Fails to Deliver Budget (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood backs home carers amid rising pressures
SDLP Foyle MP Colum Eastwood backs home carers ahead of a Unison-organised public meeting in Derry, calling on Stormont to deliver the promised real living wage and help carers with rising fuel costs.
Economy and employment Health Issue: Stormont brake request on EU goods regulations Original release: Eastwood backs home carers amid rising pressures (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP selects Malachy Quinn as Assembly Candidate for Mid Ulster
The SDLP says Councillor Malachy Quinn has been picked as its candidate for Mid Ulster at the next Assembly election, citing his council record and community work. Party leader Claire Hanna MP and MLA Patsy McGlone both back him, with McGlone stepping aside.
Other Local government Issue: SDLP selects Malachy Quinn as Assembly Candidate for Mid Ulster Original release: SDLP selects Malachy Quinn as Assembly Candidate for Mid Ulster (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Our Doctors and Nurses Are Not Pawns in a Political Game
SDLP MLA Colin McGrath accuses the Executive of drawing health workers into a dispute with Secretary of State Sir Chris Bryant over pay, after the BMA confirmed further doctors' strike action in November. He says the Executive should stop trading blame and act for patients and staff.
Health Economy and employment Issue: BMA resident, consultant and SAS doctors strike action announcement November 2026 Original release: McGrath: Our Doctors and Nurses Are Not Pawns in a Political Game (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP selects Gerard McDonald as Assembly Candidate for West Belfast
SDLP announces the selection of Gerard McDonald as its candidate for West Belfast at the next Assembly election, with Leader Claire Hanna MP welcoming the choice. McDonald says the Executive has failed to deliver on housing, cost of living and promised change.
Other Housing Issue: SDLP selection of Gerard McDonald for West Belfast Assembly candidacy Original release: SDLP selects Gerard McDonald as Assembly Candidate for West Belfast (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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McNulty presents 6,500-signature petition calling for CAR-T treatment closer to home
SDLP Newry and Armagh MLA Justin McNulty presents a petition of over 6,500 signatures to the Assembly calling for CAR-T cancer treatment to be available in Northern Ireland. He calls on the Executive to commission a local service and work with the Irish Government on all-island access in the…
Health Issue: CAR-T cancer treatment petition presented to Northern Ireland Assembly Original release: McNulty presents 6,500-signature petition calling for CAR-T treatment closer to home (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Newcastle's Bendy Tree Makes History with UK First
SDLP MLA Colin McGrath welcomes Newcastle's Bendy Tree being named UK Tree of the Year 2026 by the Woodland Trust, the first Northern Ireland tree to take the award. He has written to Newry, Mourne and Down Council asking for a permanent commemorative plaque beside it.
Environment and climate Issue: Newcastle Bendy Tree named UK Tree of the Year 2026 Original release: McGrath: Newcastle's Bendy Tree Makes History with UK First (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP selects Rebecca Harper for Lagan Valley
SDLP leader Claire Hanna MP says Rebecca Harper, selected to contest Lagan Valley at the 2027 Assembly election, has the energy and determination to help the SDLP win the seat again. Harper, a childcare campaigner and Melted Parents NI co-founder, says she will campaign on affordable childcare and…
Other Issue: SDLP selects Rebecca Harper for Lagan Valley 2027 Assembly election Original release: SDLP selects Rebecca Harper for Lagan Valley (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP selects Pete Byrne for Newry and Armagh
The SDLP announces that Councillor Pete Byrne has been selected by party members to contest Newry and Armagh at the 2027 Assembly election. Byrne pledges to champion fighting for Daisy Hill, local businesses and infrastructure, and Leader Claire Hanna praises his experience.
Other Local government Issue: SDLP selection of Pete Byrne for Newry and Armagh 2027 Assembly election Original release: SDLP selects Pete Byrne for Newry and Armagh (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP selects Linzi McLaren for South Antrim
SDLP announces Linzi McLaren as its candidate for South Antrim at the May 2027 Assembly election, describing her selection as a homecoming. Antrim Cllr Roisin Lynch and Leader Claire Hanna MP welcome her, with McLaren pledging to focus on violence against women and girls and educational…
Other Issue: SDLP selection of Linzi McLaren for South Antrim 2027 election Original release: SDLP selects Linzi McLaren for South Antrim (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Health Minister must respond urgently to rise in infant mortality rate
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA calls for an urgent Health Minister response to a Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health report showing rising infant mortality in the region. He says he will write to the minister seeking a funded plan for the College's recommendations…
Health Issue: Royal College of Paediatrics State of Child Health 2026 report on infant mortality Original release: McGrath: Health Minister must respond urgently to rise in infant mortality rate (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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O'Toole: DUP cannot use politics of the past to distract from Executive failure
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says the DUP is using renewed Drumcree controversy to divert attention from the Executive's failure to pass a Budget, as public services face uncertainty. He calls on the DUP and Executive ministers to agree a Budget and address health, waiting…
Public finance and taxation Community relations and legacy Issue: Drumcree parading dispute and Executive Budget impasse Original release: O'Toole: DUP cannot use politics of the past to distract from Executive failure (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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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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Eastwood pays tribute to Brian Tierney after decision not to contest election
SDLP Foyle MP Colum Eastwood pays tribute to Councillor Brian Tierney, who has announced he will not stand at the upcoming local government election, praising his nearly 14 years representing Ballyarnett and his time as Mayor.
Other Local government Original release: Eastwood pays tribute to Brian Tierney after decision not to contest election (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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O'Hanlon pays tribute to Eithne Vallely
SDLP Armagh Councillor Thomas O'Hanlon expresses deep sadness at the death of Eithne Vallely, recalling her founding of the Armagh Pipers Club and her decades of teaching young musicians and promoting traditional Irish music.
Other Education Original release: O'Hanlon pays tribute to Eithne Vallely (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood: Sadness at Galliagh fire death
SDLP Foyle MP Colum Eastwood expressed sadness after a man died in a house fire in Galliagh’s Bloomfield Park area, offering thoughts to the victim’s family and praising the emergency services who responded.
Other Issue: Galliagh fatal fire death of man Original release: Eastwood: Sadness at Galliagh fire death (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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O'Toole: Resignation of Health Minister exposes "shambolic" Executive
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says the resignation of Health Minister Mike Nesbitt shows the Executive lacks a serious approach to government, and calls it an insult to healthcare workers and patients. He links it to the failure to agree a Budget and to internal party disputes.
Health Issue: Health Minister Mike Nesbitt resignation Original release: O'Toole: Resignation of Health Minister exposes "shambolic" Executive (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Workforce planning key to ending agency reliance in the health service for good
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA welcomes HSC Chief Executives' plans to speed up cutting agency staffing in the health service. He calls on the Health Minister and Executive to sustain the progress and plan permanent workforce recruitment and retention to avoid a return to…
Health Economy and employment Issue: HSC Chief Executives plan to accelerate reduction of agency staffing Original release: McGrath: Workforce planning key to ending agency reliance in the health service for good (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: If nobody qualifies, what is Continuing Healthcare actually for?
SDLP MLA Colin McGrath says Assembly Question figures show no applicant across five years of Continuing Healthcare assessments in Health and Social Care Trusts was found eligible for funding. He asks the Department of Health to explain why the scheme appears inaccessible and what action it will…
Health Issue: Continuing Healthcare zero eligibility figures from Assembly Question Original release: McGrath: If nobody qualifies, what is Continuing Healthcare actually for? (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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De Faoite calls for all-island rollout of meningitis B vaccination programme
SDLP Belfast City Council Group Leader Councillor Séamas de Faoite urges Health Ministers North and South to coordinate a single island-wide rollout after the JCVI advised a meningitis B jab for secondary-school-age young people.
Health Issue: JCVI meningitis B vaccination recommendation for secondary school age Original release: De Faoite calls for all-island rollout of meningitis B vaccination programme (opens in a new tab)