CLANRYE NEWS 
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA has emphasised the need to support health tusts. He had called for an urgent ministerial intervention and for a departmental assessment to determine the reasons behind the current vacancies in two of the five trust CEO positions. Commenting Colin McGrath MLA said, “Our trusts are facing unprecedented pressure, […]
The health and social care system continues to experience severe pressure on services. The system is working extremely hard to care for patients. Priority will always be given to cases that are immediately life threatening. We all owe a great debt of gratitude to staff. The Department, on behalf of the health and social care […]
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins has welcomed an agreement on fair pay for health workers. The party’s health spokesperson said: “I welcome today’s agreement on fair pay for health workers between the health minister and trade unions. “These workers are the backbone of our health and social care system and it is absolutely right that […]
The Southern Trust and Luca’s Voice Charity have teamed up to launch two new books for children with severe speech sound disorders. Developed by Nichola McDonald from the charity, in partnership with the Community Paediatric Speech and Language Therapy team, the books, “Luca’s Speechie Squad and the search for the Squabble Lever” and “p”, “b”, […]
Almost 600 social workers have been directly employed by Health & Social Care Trusts in the 18 months since agency recruitment was ceased. This includes both former agency and newly qualified social workers. In July 2023, Health and Social Care Trusts ceased all social work agency usage in Northern Ireland following intensive work between the […]
STATEMENT FROM HSC TRADE UNIONS NORTHERN IRELAND 17th December 2024 Health Trade Unions have received formal commitment from the Minister and in a Department of Health memorandum that pay parity in AFC pay bands will be maintained for the full year 2024/2025. Implementation of the Pay Review Body Pay award of 5.5% will now be […]
SDLP Newry & Armagh MLA Justin McNulty has said the Communities Minister’s Housing Supply Strategy is meaningless without being backed by funding. Minister Gordon Lyons gave a statement to the Assembly on Monday. The plan retains a target to build 100,000 homes in 15 years from the draft strategy. Newry & Armagh MLA Justin McNulty […]
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins has called the rise in patient deaths while waiting for an ambulance “deeply worrying and totally unacceptable.” The party’s health spokesperson said: “Ambulance waiting times have increased and the demand for emergency ambulance care coupled with ongoing pressures in ambulance handover times show an extremely worrying trend. “Paramedics and ambulance staff […]
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has launched an ambitious cross-departmental plan to tackle housing issues. Minister Lyons set out the first whole system Housing Supply Strategy at the Assembly. He said: “The housing issues we face are significant, and the current situation is not sustainable. For too long, there has been no joined-up, cross-departmental approach to housing […]
A new three-year strategic plan for health and social care has today been published by Health Minister Mike Nesbitt. The plan involves a wide range of initiatives based on three central themes – Stabilisation, Reform and Delivery. The Health Minister said: “Since taking office, I have underlined the need to build hope for all those who deliver, […]
Thirty percent of the local Northern Ireland public surveyed put their heating on for five extra hours per day in December and January – with 45% admitting they also wear extra clothes in bed. As the energy discussion hots up, Northern Ireland price comparison experts at CompareNI.com compiled a survey of the key energy issues affecting local […]
Social Workers from across the Southern Trust joined together for the annual Professional Social Work Forum which shed a light on the invaluable role that social work plays in our communities. The event, ‘Shining a Light on Social Work’, brought together social work staff and managers to discuss and review challenges and opportunities from the […]
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