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Community Government Health Politics Stormont

SDLP Calls Backed By Report on Childcare Workforce and Sufficiency Duty

SDLP Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin has welcomed the Department for the Economy’s decision to establish a new business support service for childcare providers, following the recommendations of research published today entitled Targeted Business Support for Childcare Providers. Ms McLaughlin said: “This is a welcome first step and a clear example of the SDLP’s persistent advocacy […]

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Campaigns Community Daisy Hill Dáil Éireann Government Health Stormont

Health Minister Expands EU Treatment Scheme

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has confirmed the launch of Phase Two of the £10 million Waiting List Reimbursement Scheme, delivering on the commitment made when the scheme was first introduced in June. Patients in Northern Ireland who have been waiting one year or more for hospital treatment will be able to reclaim the cost of […]

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Campaigns Community Constituency Daisy Hill Health Newry Newry and Armagh

Workers Party Seeks Answers on Strategic Direction of Trust and Future of Daisy Hill Hospital

Nicola Grant has said that she has been contacted by a number of residents and Health Service users, asking her to seek more answers from the Southern Health Trust about the strategic direction of the Trust and the future of Daisy Hill Hospital, a much-needed health facility for the Newry Armagh community. Nicola went on […]

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Community Crime Government Stormont

First Statistics on Domestic Abuse Prosecutions and Convictions Published

Justice Minister Naomi Long welcomes the first official publication of domestic abuse prosecutions and convictions statistics.  The statistics published today relate to the domestic abuse offence (and associated child aggravators) and any other offence aggravated by reason of involving domestic abuse, provided for in the Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Act (Northern Ireland) 2021. The […]

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Campaigns Community Constituency Daisy Hill Downpatrick Government Health Newry Politics South Down Stormont

McGrath: Health Crisis Must Be Top of Executive Agenda

SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA has said the Executive must make addressing the health crisis its top priority. He was speaking after Health Minister Mike Nesbitt committed to raising the situation at this week’s Executive meeting at an emergency meeting of the Assembly’s Health Committee on Tuesday.  Mr McGrath said it was the […]

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Campaigns Community Constituency Craigavon Daisy Hill Health Newry Newry and Armagh Upper Bann

Fun Story Books to Support With Children’s Speech Therapy!

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”, […]

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Community Government Health Stormont

Health Minister Launches Winter Preparedness Plan

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has announced a series of initiatives to protect key health and social care services during another highly challenging winter period. The measures are detailed in a 2024/25 Winter Preparedness Plan published today. They will not eliminate winter pressures on the HSC system but will help to alleviate their impact. The Health […]

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Armagh Community Constituency Lurgan Newry and Armagh South Armagh Upper Bann

Darkness Into Light Raises £58,335.95 For PIPS Hope and Support In County Armagh

The communities of Armagh, Bessbrook/Camlough, Crossmaglen, and Lurgan came together in an extraordinary show of support for this year’s Darkness Into Light (DIL) walk, raising an impressive £58,335.95 for PIPS Hope and Support, local suicide prevention charity, and PIETA House. The funds raised will provide essential support for individuals and families relying on the critical […]

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Community Constituency Council Government Newry Newry and Armagh NMD Council

Youth Safety & Wellbeing Conference Creates Powerful Impact

Newry, Mourne and Down Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) along with their partners in the PSNI, the Education Authority and Crisis Café, Newry, hosted the first ever Youth Safety & Wellbeing Conference in The Canal Court Hotel Newry. The conference which was organised on World Mental Health Day and focused on the provision of […]

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Campaigns Community Constituency Daisy Hill Government Health Newry Newry and Armagh Politics Stormont

Grant: We must Take NHS In A New Direction Following Health Report

By Nicola Grant The Health Service in Northern Ireland has over the past five decades been through several reorganizations billions of pounds have been squandered on new structures each one having a detrimental effect on the delivery of much needed Services. Much of what is wrong with the Health Service can be put right by […]

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Government Legacy Politics Stormont

New ‘Strategy for Victims and Survivors 2024-2034’ Launched

First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly have launched a new strategy for victims and survivors of the Troubles/Conflict. The strategy, which received Executive approval on Thursday, will ensure the right trauma-informed and victim-centred services are in place to empower and support victims and survivors, and contribute to building a shared and […]

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Community Constituency Downpatrick Government Health Politics South Down Stormont

McGrath Questions Executive’s Commitment to Mental Health Services

SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath has questioned the Executive’s commitment to delivering improved mental health services. He was speaking after the Executive parties backed an amendment to the SDLP’s Opposition Day motion urging them to make suicide prevention a priority for all government departments. They removed a call to commit to this through their […]