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Health

Swann Announces Roll-Out of New COVID Treatments for High Risk Patients

Health Minister Robin Swann has announced the roll-out of new and effective treatments for COVID-19 patients who are most at risk of serious illness. The treatments, previously only available to hospitalised patients, are now authorised for use in non-hospitalised patients to reduce the risk of severe illness and death. The use of these novel drug […]

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Business Health Politics

Executive Adds to Burden on Business – TUV

TUV Leader Jim Allister has slammed the NI Executives recent announcement of Covid 19 restrictions stating that it adds more pressure to businesses who have already been decimated by Covid 19. Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:- “The recent announcement on Covid restrictions by the Executive before Christmas adds to the burden placed on businesses. […]

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Health

Alliance Party Calls for Door to Door Vaccine Teams

Alliance Party Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has called for the Department of Health to consider door to door calls to encourage the public to get vaccinated. Mrs Bradshaw also indicated that this effort has been successful in England and would certainly help those in Northern Ireland who are struggling to get their vaccine. Speaking […]

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Health

O’Loughlin Welcomes Moves to Lift Ban on Gay and Bisexual Men Donating Blood

Fianna Fáil Senator Fiona O’Loughlin has welcomed the news that the one-year blood donation deferral policy for men who have sex with men is set to be lifted. An independent advisory committee to review the evidence base for deferral and exclusion around blood donation was established earlier this year. The Group has recommended changes to […]

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Health

Covid Isolation Reduced From 10 Days to 7 Days

The Executive has agreed that the current package of COVID-19 measures remains a proportionate response to the Omicron variant at this time. While the situation remains under continuous review, the Executive has agreed not to introduce additional restrictions following its latest considerations. The Executive also discussed self-isolation requirements and the proposal by the Health Minister […]

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Health

“Make this New Year’s Eve as safe as possible!” – Swann

Health Minister Robin Swann has urged the public to make this New Year’s Eve as safe as possible by following health guidance and advice. “Traditionally this is a time when we look forward with hope and optimism. This year we will do the same but that must be tempered by continued caution and awareness that […]

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Banbridge Health Lurgan Politics

MLAs Must Explain Why Disabled Babies Less Worthy of Life – Lockhart

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has urged local Upper Bann MLAs Doug Beattie and John O’Dowd to explain to the public why they believe it is right that a baby can be aborted on the grounds of disability to full term of pregnancy. Both Mr Beattie and Mr O’Dowd rejected a Bill by DUP MLA […]

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Health South Armagh

Boylan Welcomes Meeting With Keady GPs

Sinn Féin MLA for Newry and Armagh, Cathal Boylan, welcomed an engagement with a number of GP’s in Keady.  Speaking after the meeting, Cathal commented: “Myself and my party colleague Mickey Brady MP attended a meeting with GPs in Keady to discuss the current pressures on GP’s and what can be done to assist them.  […]

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Health

Omicron Variant Up to 70% Less Severe

Those who catch the Covid 19 variant known as Omicron are 50% to 70% less likely to need hospital care according to a new study. The report comes from data obtained in South Africa, Denmark, England and Scotland which all recorded reduced severity of the Omicron variant. According to the BBC, the UK Health Security […]

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Health Newry

Kimmins Calls for Cycling Investment for Newry and Armagh

Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins is calling for more cycling investment in Newry and Armagh following a Committee for Infrastructure briefing from Sustrans and has stated that an opportunity was missed during covid to change peoples travel behaviour. The Newry and Armagh MLA stated: “We need to urgently move away from fossil fuels in order […]

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Health Politics

NI Executive Has Announced New Covid 19 Restrictions

The Northern Ireland Executive have decided the following restrictions relating to Covid 19. Nightclubs to close at 06:00 on 26 December  All indoor standing events prohibited on 26th December No dancing in hospitality from 06:00 on 26 December – (won’t apply to weddings) Rule of six and table service only returns in hospitality on 27th […]

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Health Politics

Cross Border Healthcare Scheme to Continue – Fianna Fail 

Fianna Fáil Senator Robbie Gallagher has received commitment that the cross-border health scheme will continue until a statutory scheme is in place.     As a result of Brexit, the EU cross-border directive ceased to apply in Northern Ireland. To mitigate this loss, the Government introduced the Northern Ireland planned healthcare scheme which has been in effective […]