Monthly Archives: August 2018

Welcome: Roy Beggs By Staff Reporter August 6 2018 Northern Ireland will soon be the only part of the UK without an opt-out organ donation system, the Ulster Unionists have warned. UUP health spokesman Roy Beggs MLA yesterday welcomed the announcement from the Government that a new system for organ donation will be in place across England by 2020. The plan shifts the balance of presumption in favour of organ donation, with an opt-out for those who do not wish to take part, the Department of Health and Social Care said. The changes will be known as Max’s Law after Max Johnson, a 10-year-old boy whose life was saved by a heart transplant. But Mr Beggs warned that unless it is also extended here, Northern Ireland will soon be the only part of the UK without an opt-out system. “Organ donation is one of the most selfless acts of kindness … Continue reading →

Mums smashed another breastfeeding record in Belfast once again over the weekend. During Breastival Belfast, a family festival celebrating all things breastfeeding, 191 mums took part in the Global Big Latch On, breaking last year’s record for the most children breastfed at the same time and place in Northern Ireland. The festival, organised by East Belfast mums Dr Jennifer Hanratty and Jennie Wallace, also gained significant cross party support on Saturday for the promotion and protection of breastfeeding. Read More Belfast mums create thank you cards to support women breastfeeding in public The Politics of Milk panel discussion at the Ulster Museum heard from two MPs and four MLAs from six parties in Northern Ireland and was chaired by the outgoing NI Director of the Royal College of Midwives, Breedagh Hughes. The panel was also joined by Claire Allcutt from the Baby Feeding Law Group who set the scene about … Continue reading →

Doug Beattie during the Belfast Pride political debate at The Mac on Monday By Suzanne Breen August 1 2018 An Ulster Unionist MLA does not believe any of his nine Assembly colleagues would sign a petition of concern to block same-sex marriage. Speaking at the annual Pride Talks Back Debate in Belfast, Doug Beattie apologised to the LGBTQ community for his party’s failure to support gay rights for so long. He acknowledged it had “missed the bus”, but stressed that it was now doing everything possible to “catch up” and “reach out”. The DUP was the only one of Northern Ireland’s five main parties who didn’t send a speaker to the event in The Mac on Monday night. The party said no one had been available. The DUP’s absence will be seen by some as a step backwards from Arlene Foster’s presence at a PinkNews reception in Stormont last month. … Continue reading →