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Health Lurgan Politics

Health Spending A Priority for Sinn Féin – O’Dowd

Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd has welcomed proposals that prioritise support for the health service in the Executive’s draft Budget. Mr O’Dowd said: “ The draft budget is proposing a 10% increase in health spending, with £21 billion earmarked for services over the next three years. “Sinn Féin has prioritised increased funding for health in […]

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Banbridge Community Health

Lockhart Supports Placement of Automated External Defibrillators in Public Buildings Across the UK

Carla Lockhart MP has given her support for cross party parliamentary efforts to ensure that Automated External Defibrillators are placed in public buildings across the UK.  Speaking about this issue Carla Lockhart said  “Most of us will know of someone who has been impacted by a cardiac arrest. It is a cruel yet common disease that […]

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Health

Executive Meets to Discuss Omicron Variant

With community transmission of COVID-19 at an all-time high, the Executive is urging everyone not to let their guard down, get boosted, test and report. The Executive received an update today from our medical and scientific advisors on the latest public health situation. As expected, the highly infectious nature of the Omicron variant has led […]

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Health Politics

TUV Challenges Executive on Face-Covering Policy

Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister: “I have always been clear that there is a duty on everyone to take all sensible and reasonable steps to help stop the spread of COVID. We all have our part to play in suppressing the spread of a virus which has caused much suffering and resulted in the […]

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Health

‘Lateral Flow Before You Go!’ – Swann

Health Minister Robin Swann has emphasised that free Rapid Lateral Flow Tests are available online and from a network of local pharmacies. And he underlined the importance of using Rapid Lateral Flow Tests regularly to help keep family and friends safe this winter. The Minister stressed that using Lateral Flow Tests does not remove the […]

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Health Infrastructure

Ministers Want You to Wear Face Coverings on Public Transport!

Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon and Health Minister Robin Swann are again reminding the travelling public of the importance of wearing face coverings on public transport including buses, trains and the Strangford Ferry. With more people travelling over the festive period, Ministers Mallon and Swann are again appealing for people to do this safely by wearing a […]

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Health

‘We Must Not Drop Our Guard on Omicron!’ – Swann

Health Minister Robin Swann has strongly warned against complacency over the COVID-19 Omicron variant. The Minister emphasised that Omicron poses a significant threat to health and social care services. The Omicron variant is now dominant in NI, accounting for a majority of new COVID-19 infections. The Minister said: “There remains a great deal of uncertainty about […]

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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 […]