Monthly Archives: February 2014

Ulster Unionist Party Health spokesperson Roy Beggs has claimed that the instigation of ‘escalation measures’ at the Royal Victoria Hospital is symptomatic of a deepening crisis across Northern Ireland’s accident and emergency departments. The East Antrim MLA was speaking after the Royal had to take the emergency measures when more than 100 people were left waiting in its A&E and many others on trolleys, as well as several other hospitals reporting similar scenes. Roy Beggs, who is also a member of the Health Committee, said; “Only last month the Royal Victoria Hospital declared a major incident when similar pressures to those seen over recent days materialised in its A&E unit. At the time the Health Minister was keen to stress that those pressures were exceptional. Unfortunately recent days have shown that such circumstances are now no longer exceptional and in fact appear to be becoming more regular. “It was not … Continue reading →

At the Assembly’s Health Committee, the UUP member, Roy Beggs MLA, has expressed concern that almost 1 year after an Assembly Debate highlighting delays in diagnosing Ovarian Cancer, Senior Health Officials have only now contacted local GPs highlighting NICE guidance and best practice. Roy Beggs MLA said, “The charity, Targeting Ovarian Cancer, have advised that a third of women are being diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer when there are admitted to A&E when advanced symptoms become apparent.  30% of women suffering from the condition were being incorrectly initially diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome.  Indeed, some 75% are diagnosed when the cancer has already spread and treatment outcomes are poor”. One year ago Assembly Members were advised by Target Ovarian Cancer that 42% of GPs in Northern Ireland were unaware of the NICE guidance which had been issued 2 years earlier.  In Northern Ireland there are approximately 160 cases of Ovarian Cancer … Continue reading →