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Monthly Archives: October 2013
Where is the Mandate for Care Homes Non Admissions Policy?
East Antrim MLA and Ulster Unionist health spokesman Roy Beggs Jnr has again questioned the DUP Health Minister Edwin Poots on his admissions policy for long term stays in Residential Care Homes. A just published answer to a written question posed at Stormont by Mr Beggs reveals that for the financial year 2012/13, there were no permanent admissions to Statutory (NHS Trust) Elderly Residential Homes in the Northern region, whilst at the same time 244 permanent admissions were referred to privately run homes. Mr Beggs said: “The Assembly Written Answer shows that the 4 other Health Trusts have been admitting residents to Statutory Residential Homes. These figures confirm what anecdotally we already knew: In the Northern Trust area, there is an on-going policy of closing all statutory residential homes by stealth through a non-admissions policy. For example in my local area of Larne no new residents have been referred to … Continue reading
Posted in Health Committee, Press Releases
Tagged Beggs, Clonmore, Greenisland, Joymount, Lisgarel, NHS Residential Care Homes, Poots
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Beggs Challenges Poots on Respite Cuts
Local Ulster Unionist MLA Roy Beggs MLA has challenged the Minister for Health Edwin Poots about cutbacks to respite care in the health service. During Question time at Stormont Mr Beggs asked the Minister: “Does the Minister accept that, when health service staffs are advising vulnerable families that their respite care is being cut in half, cuts are clearly being made? They are short-term cuts that will endanger the health and well-being and even the stability of some families who are caring 24/7.” Minister Poots in reply said “it is clearly the case that we are providing more domiciliary care and more support to people than before.” Speaking later Roy Beggs commented: “The Minister seems to be living in denial about the reality of cuts to frontline health services. I have contacted the Northern Health and Social Care Trust regarding a local family where respite support has been severely cut. … Continue reading
Party time as Giro cyclists pass through
LOCAL communities on the route of next year’s Giro d’Italia cycle race are being encouraged to organise events celebrating the one-off spectacular. The world’s top road racers will pass through Carnlough, Glenarm, Ballygally, Larne, Glynn, Magheramorne, Whitehead, Carrickfergus and Whiteabbey on Saturday, May 10 during a 218k time trial from Belfast to the North Coast and back via East Antrim. Assemblyman Roy Beggs said he was certain that council events officers were already making plans to capitalise on the unique opportunity of hosting one of cycling’s three major tours. The Ulster Unionist MLA, who is a keen cyclist, added: “This is another wonderful opportunity to showcase our beautiful part of the world and really develop our tourism potential. I would love to see local communities and sports clubs getting involved in 2014 by organising their own events to celebrate the Giro d’Italia coming to East Antrim and Northern Ireland. One … Continue reading
Mother’s tragic abortion story could spark reappraisal of rules for Northern …
Sarah Ewart tells BBC Northern Ireland’s The Nolan Show she had to travel to London for an abortion after she was told her unborn child had virtually no chance of survival. BY JOANNE SWEENEY – 10 October 2013 The need to allow abortions on the grounds of severe foetal abnormalities could soon be reconsidered by the Northern Ireland Executive. Justice Minister David Ford has suggested a joint approach with Health Minister Edwin Poots following the heartbreaking story of a young woman who was refused a termination here – even though her unborn child had a fatal abnormality. Sarah Ewart had an abortion in London last week, which she paid for herself, after finding out that her baby could not survive once born. Although her 20-week foetus had anencephaly – a condition where the skull and brain does not develop properly – it did not pose a direct threat to her … Continue reading
Giro d’Italia takes in town
Official confirmation came this week that Carrickfergus Borough is included in the route for one of the world’s biggest cycling events. A stage of the prestigious Giro d’Italia – the second biggest and most competitive race only to the Tour de France – will pass through the town on Saturday, May 10 2014. Spectators at Whitehead and Greenisland are also expected to catch a glimpse of the elite riders as they make their way along the coastal route to Belfast. Expressing delight at the announcement, the Mayor, Alderman Billy Ashe, said: “We couldn’t have hoped for better timing with the stage passing through Whitehead, Carrickfergus and Greenisland on its return leg to Belfast on the Saturday afternoon.” It is understood that Carrick Castle was one of the locations visited earlier this year as part of attempts to secure the prestigous event. East Antrim DUP MLA Alastair Ross, who as Assembly … Continue reading
