CLANRYE NEWS 
SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath has said that the Department of Health must take action to address the lack of lateral flow tests available in the North. He said it was particularly important people had access following the change to the Covid-19 guidance that people with a positive lateral flow test no longer require a […]
Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Major Investigation Team have launched a murder investigation after a 28-year-old man died following a stabbing incident in Downpatrick this morning (Monday, 3rd January). Detective Chief Inspector, John Caldwell said: “We believe that the man was stabbed in the Church Street area of the town around 11am […]
Local Alliance councillor, Patrick Brown, is to introduce a motion with the aim of increasing transparency and accountability at a local government level. Although Council meetings are recorded, Cllr Brown is calling for meetings to be streamed live or for the pre-recorded videos of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council meetings to be made publicly […]
SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath has reiterated calls for a metastatic breast cancer audit to be undertaken for the North, and said it should be included within the cancer strategy. Mr McGrath previously submitted an Assembly question asking how many people have been diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in each of the last five years, […]
SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath has backed plans to ban smoking in cars with children. Regulations to make smoking with children in the car a punishable offence were introduced in the Assembly on Monday. The regulations also include plans to ban the sale of products like e-cigarettes to under 18s. South Down MLA Mr […]
Economy Minister Gordon Lyons today announced that the High Street Scheme will be extended by five days to 19 December. The Minister also urged anyone with any balance left on their £100 Spend Local cards to use it now. He said: “The High Street Scheme is working well. The benefits are clearly flowing through to our […]
Local Alliance councillor, Patrick Brown, has spoken out against unlicensed tree felling on the Rann Road in Annacloy. Cllr Brown commented: “Last week I visited a site in Annacloy that has been subject to, in my opinion, disgraceful environmental vandalism. Contractors on the Rann Road have torn down a large area of trees, despite not […]
With increasing cases of respiratory viruses and tummy bugs circulating in the community, the Southern Trust is offering parents some useful health care advice. Health Visitors are sharing information on how to recognise and deal with common childhood symptoms and the Trust will be sharing tips across its social media pages. Julie McConville, Assistant Director […]
SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath has said DUP Economy Minister Gordon Lyons’ reckless proposal to scrap the agreed vaccine certification scheme will put the public at risk. Mr McGrath said that by refusing to introduce mitigations like vaccine certifications the Economy Minister was risking collapse in the health service and further restrictions being introduced which […]
The Southern Trust has come under fire after it was revealed that £23 million from the Department of Health would be used to help the social care sector. This investment has now been used by Independent care companies to increase their pay bands for Care Assistants. A move welcomed during these difficult times. However despite […]
Independent domiciliary care company Ann’s Homecare has now increased its pay from £10.30 p/h to £13p/h following the £23 million investment from the Department of Health and a recent meeting with the Health Minister Robin Swann. Speaking on their social media Ann’s Homecare said: “Following the announcement of our new rates (£10.30 – £13) and […]
SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath has welcomed progress on the Covid-19 recognition payment to independent health care staff. Speaking in the Assembly this week Health Minister Robin Swann confirmed over £1m had been paid out so far. However, Mr McGrath said there were still thousands of staff waiting to receive their payment and called on […]
CLANRYE NEWS