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Monthly Archives: April 2018
‘Frightening’ is the only way to describe latest slump in local A&E waiting times – Beggs
Following the publication of the latest A&E waiting time statistics, the Ulster Unionist Party’s Health Spokesperson, Roy Beggs MLA, has said that ‘frightening’ is the only word that can be used to describe the scale and pace of the deteriorating situation. Roy Beggs said: “The words crisis, breaking point and unprecedented challenges are becoming all too regular to describe the situation in the local health service. Yet there is no other term but frightening that can be used to describe what is happening in our emergency units right now. “Only 59.3% of patients attending our major emergency departments in March were treated and discharged, or admitted within four hours of their arrival: a fall of almost 11% on the same period last year and it makes the official target of 95% look like wholly unrealistic wishful thinking. It is also far, far below the waiting times being reported in England, … Continue reading
Fears for patients as A&E waiting times continue to worsen
Health crisis: Roy Beggs MLA By Mairead Holland April 27 2018 Concerns have been raised about soaring waiting times at Northern Ireland’s emergency departments. The number of patients waiting for longer than 12 hours jumped by more than 200% from last year – from 3,115 in January to March 2017, to 9,567 in the same period this year. Last month only 59.3% of attendees at emergency departments were treated and discharged, or admitted within four hours of their arrival. The Government target is 95%. The statistics are included in a bulletin on waiting times published yesterday by the Department of Health, which covers the first quarter of 2018. Dr Ian Crawford, vice president of Royal College of Emergency Medicine Northern Ireland, said the figures were a symptom of the extremely serious problems the health service continued to face. He added: “At the heart of this are patients, patients whose welfare … Continue reading
Clarity needed from Department and Regulator on I-SEM Delay – Beggs
Roy Beggs MLA has called on the Utility Regulator and the Permanent Secretary of the Department for the Economy to ensure that certainty is created for all Electricity Generators in NI follow the announcement by SONI that the new I-SEM electricity market is being delayed by 4 months. Roy Beggs MLA said, “I am astonished to learn that a decision by SONI to delay the new Electricity market I-SEM by 4 months was made on 17th April without any explanation of its implications in terms the contractual payments for our Electricity Generators and their employees. The statement has been silent as to what alternative arrangements will be in place. To ensure stable electricity generation and supply to customers, there is a need for certainty going forward as to how electricity generation will be managed and paid for. This is particularly relevant for my constituents working at AES Kilroot and on … Continue reading
Beggs receives confirmation that part of North Road is to be resurfaced this summer
East Antrim Ulster Unionist Party MLA Roy Beggs having received complaints from constituents regarding the poor condition of the North Road, Carrickfergus and lobbied for improvements has received confirmation from Transport NI that the North Road between Prince Andrew Way and the B90 top road at Marshallstown is included for resurfacing this summer. Roy Beggs MLA had contacted Transport NI , stating “The North Road, Carrickfergus, suffers as a result of numerous road openings associated with new mains water pipes which were previously installed. As the ground has settled, an uneven road surface has developed. I understand that this is the second busiest road in Carrickfergus and yet it has a very poor quality road surface. I would highlight in particular the section of road between Prince Andrew Way and the B90 Marshallstown Road. I would ask that it would be considered for a resurfacing programme.” A Transport NI official … Continue reading
Northern Ireland ambulances missing 999 target times
Ulster Unionist MLA Roy Beggs has released figures showing a dangerous deterioration in ambulance response times, which he said is “putting public safety at risk” (stock photo) By Lisa Smyth April 16 2018 Ambulance crews are failing to meet official targets for patients with life-threatening conditions in two out of three cases, it has been claimed. Ulster Unionist MLA Roy Beggs has released figures showing a dangerous deterioration in ambulance response times, which he said is “putting public safety at risk”. According to Mr Beggs, only 39% of paramedics arrived to category A calls – the most serious – within eight minutes in January this year. “This is far below the target of 72.5% and a drop of 12% compared to the same period 12 months earlier,” he said. The release of the statistics is the latest blow for the struggling NI Ambulance Service (NIAS), which has come under fire … Continue reading
