Monthly Archives: February 2019

Rory McIlroy Tees Off New £8.2m Outpatients Department at Ulster Independent Clinic

Sorry, we’re having problems with our video player at the moment, but are working to fix it as soon as we can Waiting for Video… Parliamentary reports show first speaker only – follow this lnk for the full transcription. Articles may come from parliamentary reports, various public news feeds and Google News Search. Content is republished here for context. Copyright is respected and remains with the original author at all times. Original Article:https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/health/rory-mcilroy-tees-off-new-8-2m-outpatients-department-at-ulster-independent-clinic-1-8656087

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100,000 waiting a year to see doctor in Northern Ireland, new figures show

The Health Service says it is in need of radical reform. By Jonathan Bell February 28 2019 Almost 100,000 people had been waiting a year to have their first consultant-led out-patient appointment by the end of last year, new government statistics show. And the figures show that 75% were waiting more than the target time of nine weeks for half of all patients to be seen. The Health Service has said it is “simply unable” to keep pace with growing demands for care despite the best efforts of staff and a £30million cash injection last year. “Fundamental transformation remains the only long-term answer to this problem,” the department said. In the budget for Northern Ireland, the health department is to received almost £6billion in funding, around £300m more than last year. The figures also showed 88,605 people were waiting for an admission to hospital with 21,000 waiting over a year. … Continue reading

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Northern Ireland ‘most out-dated’ on organ donation says Beggs

Ulster Unionist health spokesperson Roy Beggs MLA has said that whilst Northern Ireland was once considered a trailblazer on changes to organ donation, it has now “fallen behind to have the most out-dated system in the UK”. Speaking after the Organ Donation (deemed consent) Bill for England was passed at Parliament, Mr. Beggs said: “Whilst organ donation here continues to have strong public support, unfortunately there remains a shortfall between the number of donors and the actual number of organs needed. “As a result, each and every year in Northern Ireland, there are people passing away whilst waiting for a transplant. Many are perfectly healthy otherwise so it is total tragedy that these people aren’t surviving long enough to receive the life-saving phone call. “I fully appreciate that organ donation is an incredibly sensitive issue, especially at times of great grief and sadness. Yet there are countless cases in hospital … Continue reading

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Police officer tells tribunal that ban on facial hair is ‘unfair’

‘When the policy came into effect at the start of this year, the constable defied his superiors by keeping the moustache’ By Allan Preston November 14 2018 A police officer would need “a moustache like a walrus” to stop a breathing mask working properly, an expert has told a tribunal in Belfast. The evidence was heard at the second day of an employment tribunal where a PSNI constable is fighting for the right to sport a moustache after the force introduced a facial hair ban over safety concerns it could interfere with respiratory masks. Evidence yesterday centred on whether a “well-trimmed moustache” was safe to use with the breathing masks. Richard Gates, the director of the UK company Hazmat Control which sells specialist respiratory equipment, appeared as an expert witness for the constable. He claimed “you would need a moustache like a walrus” to stop a mask working properly. He … Continue reading

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Thousands left disappointed after Northern Ireland fireworks display cancelled at last minute

Fireworks display (stock image) October 28 2018 A Northern Ireland council has apologised after around 8,000 people were left disappointed when it cancelled a fireworks display. The display was due to take place at Seapark, Holywood, at 8pm on Saturday night but Ards and North Down Borough Council  cancelled at the last minute. People who attended the event expressed their frustration on social media. One person said: “Lack of forward planning, lack of proper communication, babies and children left standing in the freezing cold. Completely unacceptable.” Another said: “Just back from Seapark in Holywood freezing cold waiting on the fireworks display and told 2hrs later fireworks was cancelled. Very disappointed for all the wee kids who where waiting a long time on such a cold night.” Another said on Twitter: “I came down with my 3 kids , 7,22 months 10 weeks. We had been there from 4. No communication … Continue reading

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