Monthly Archives: January 2018

East Antrim MLA Roy Beggs has raised questions over whether hospitals across Northern Ireland were as prepared as many of those in the rest of the UK to handle the outbreak of this year’s winter flu. The Ulster Unionist Assemblyman said the winter pressures that Emergency Departments are currently facing “were not entirely unexpected”. “We have an ageing population – the highest user of hospital beds – and rapidly increasing demand which is closely linked to the rising prevalence of long-term conditions right across the population,” Mr Beggs said. He added: “Acute care systems, whether outpatient or inpatient services, acute medical units, EDs, primary care or the ambulance service, are all under a frightening degree of strain right now. “After speaking to medical professionals I warned last October that there were firm indications that this year’s strain of winter flu was likely going to be much more virulent than in … Continue reading →

Sinn Fein Stormont leader Michelle ONeill By Suzanne Breen January 4 2018 The DUP is calling on Sinn Fein to “put the needs of patients above the demands of their party” and restore power-sharing to tackle the growing NHS crisis here. Strangford MLA Peter Weir reminded Sinn Fein Stormont leader Michelle O’Neill of her promises to prioritise reform when she became health minister. “There has been no reform of the health service because Sinn Fein have placed their party-political demands as a higher priority than growing waiting lists,” he said. “There has been no reform of the health service because Michelle O’Neill walked away from her desk and away from the route map to deliver that reform. “The problems were exacerbated by a finance minister who walked away from his desk without even completing the one job expected of him – to deliver a budget to fund vital public services, … Continue reading →

Sinn Fein Stormont leader Michelle ONeill By Suzanne Breen January 4 2018 The DUP is calling on Sinn Fein to “put the needs of patients above the demands of their party” and restore power-sharing to tackle the growing NHS crisis here. Strangford MLA Peter Weir reminded Sinn Fein Stormont leader Michelle O’Neill of her promises to prioritise reform when she became health minister. “There has been no reform of the health service because Sinn Fein have placed their party-political demands as a higher priority than growing waiting lists,” he said. “There has been no reform of the health service because Michelle O’Neill walked away from her desk and away from the route map to deliver that reform. “The problems were exacerbated by a finance minister who walked away from his desk without even completing the one job expected of him – to deliver a budget to fund vital public services, … Continue reading →

East Antrim MLA Roy Beggs has raised questions over whether hospitals across Northern Ireland were as prepared as many of those in the rest of the UK to handle the outbreak of this year’s winter flu. The Ulster Unionist Assemblyman said the winter pressures that Emergency Departments are currently facing “were not entirely unexpected”. “We have an ageing population – the highest user of hospital beds – and rapidly increasing demand which is closely linked to the rising prevalence of long-term conditions right across the population,” Mr Beggs said. He added: “Acute care systems, whether outpatient or inpatient services, acute medical units, EDs, primary care or the ambulance service, are all under a frightening degree of strain right now. “After speaking to medical professionals I warned last October that there were firm indications that this year’s strain of winter flu was likely going to be much more virulent than in … Continue reading →