Monthly Archives: November 2018

Hospital waiting lists are continuing to grow despite the injection of extra cash from the DUP’s deal with the Conservative Party. The Royal College of Surgeons warned that “we can’t go on like this” after the publication of the latest waiting list figures from the Department of Health. Roy Beggs MLA. Nearly 20,000 people in Northern Ireland have been waiting more than an entire year for inpatient treatment. In England, where the population dwarfs that of Northern Ireland, the equivalent figure is just 3,156. The statistics for outpatient appointments are similarly dire. On September 30, there were 283,497 people on the outpatient waiting lists for a consultant-led appointment – 212,985 (75.1%) had been waiting more than nine weeks, while 94,222 (32.1%) had been waiting over a year. The figures come in spite of an injection of £30 million to tackle waiting lists from the DUP’s confidence and supply arrangement with … Continue reading →

Ulster Unionist MLA Roy Beggs has responded to comments from a Mid and East Antrim Sinn Fein councillor and the subsequent vandalism of the “Ghost Tommy” silhouette in Cairncastle, outside Larne. In a statement, Mr. Beggs said: ““The Sinn Fein political representative has tried to politicise WW1 commemorations and the Ghost Tommy silhouettes which remember those who did not return. “By his reckless remarks, he has increased community tensions. This is in stark contrast to the increased recognition from the Irish government that huge losses were occurred from all sections of the community. “Many young men left Cairncastle never to return. Republicans need to learn to have tolerance and respect for others.” Sinn Fein councillor James McKeown said that he had been contacted by a number of residents who were unhappy with the Armistice centenary sculptures appearing in the Cairncastle area saying that it showed a “total disregard” for nationalists. … Continue reading →

Image copyright Getty Images Image caption The Health and Social Care Board acknowledged the seriousness of the situation Only 11.9% of urgent breast cancer referrals were seen within 14 days in the Northern Health and Social Care Trust during September, official figures have shown. The target is that 100% of women should be seen within 14 days. Where patients were not seen within 14 days, the longest wait was 44 days. The Northern Trust said it had experienced a high level of demand for breast cancer awareness over the summer months. A spokesperson said: “This resulted in an increased number of patients waiting greater than 14 days to be seen in the breast clinic. “The trust took action to address this position by securing additional in-house breast assessment clinics in Antrim and also in a neighbouring Trust and as a result, October per improved to 57.5%.” It added: “From the … Continue reading →

Image caption Kilroot power station faces shutdown after a failed auction bid Kilroot power station near Carrickfergus, which had been facing closure, has been given a new one-year deal to provide energy to the grid. Its owners, AES, said the move would “ensure energy stability” for NI. It means around 170 jobs will be saved, but 85 posts are likely to go at its sister station at Ballylumford outside Islandmagee. Business organisation Manufacturing NI said the deal will add costs to consumer bills. Job fears as power station faces closure Eighty jobs to go at Ballylumford plant Kilroot closure cuts £1.3m off rates income The agreement was hammered out following negotiations between AES, the Utility Regulator and the operator of the grid, SONI. AES said the deal “shows the importance of the facilities we are operating”. But it added a “re-structuring” of its business would have consequences for jobs and … Continue reading →