Tag Archives: East Antrim

Residential Homes Closure Proposal Causing Uncertainty and Stress

Posted on April 29, 2013 by rbeggs

Speaking about the local implications of the current proposals to shut the all the remaining Northern Trust Residential Homes local Ulster Unionist MLA Roy Beggs commented: “This consultation has caused great short term uncertainty and stress for vulnerable residents and their families.” I have asked questions and made public comment at Stormont highlighting this issue since Transforming Your Care was published late in 2011. I also highlighted my concerns in my response to the consultation document.  In the background I have been working with relatives of residents in the Lisgarel in Larne helping to establish a Friends of Lisgarel support group. That work is on-going Sadly, rather than acknowledge and address these concerns, Health officials and the Minster appear to want to accelerate the closure programme. From personal family experience over the past year, I have seen how vital respite and rehabilitation services have been provided at these Trust Residential … Continue reading →

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Roy Raises East Antrim Jobs at Stormont

Posted on February 21, 2013 by rbeggs

Ulster Unionist MLA for East Antrim Roy Beggs has again raised the issue of the local economy and job creation at the Assembly. He asked the Minister for Employment and Learning “what measures he has introduced to address unemployment in East Antrim following the significant local job losses.” In reply the range of schemes an services offered by Jobs and Benefits Offices in the area were listed including the Steps to Work and Pathways to Work programmes. Under the Collaboration and Innovation Fund, just under £4 million has been allocated to eight organisations, to help 1,500 unemployed young people from greater Belfast and East Antrim to get into further education, employment or training. The Minister also made mention of the recent Jobs Fair co-hosted by Larne Borough Council and Ledcom in the Town Hall and claimed “ in the period April to December 2012 the Employment Service helped 1,250 people … Continue reading →

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Beggs Decries Bank Withdrawal from East Antrim

Posted on January 25, 2013 by rbeggs

Commenting on the imminent closure of Bank of Ireland branches in East Antrim, Ulster Unionist MLA Roy Beggs Jnr said: “With closures of branches announced for Larne, Carrickfergus and Ballyclare, Bank of Ireland are effectively withdrawing from our district. They seem to be leaving local customers with little alternative but to take their business elsewhere.” Mr Beggs added, “ I have been advised by the Bank of Ireland that they are “are investing in a modern branch network that provides customers with easy access to banking services and is fully integrated with our online, phone and mobile channels.” However, a large percentage of our community, particularly the older generation are used to the personal touch that a local bank provides and are not up to speed with or confident in online Banking.” “ Coming hard on the heels of the closure of the Northern Bank in Whitehead, and the recent … Continue reading →

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Roy Highlights Need for Pain Management Clinic in Northern Trust area

Posted on January 21, 2013 by rbeggs

Beggs urges Northern Health Trust to appoint designated support staff for pain management clinics. East Antrim MLA Roy Beggs has called on the Northern Health & Social Care Trust to appoint designated support staff for pain management clinics, in line with other HSC Trusts in Northern Ireland. Mr Beggs said; “Pain management services are critical for the recovery of patients following illnesses, as well as those who suffer from chronic pain. It is therefore imperative that the service they provide is of the highest level. ‘I wrote to the Health Minister and asked him to break down by HSC Trust, the number of staff working in specialist pain services. The Northern HSC Trust was found to be the only Trust with no designated staff to support pain management consultants. This is not in line with other HSC Trusts who have at least one Specialist Nurse in order to assist the … Continue reading →

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A&E Waiting Figures Fail NHS Targets

Posted on November 12, 2012 by rbeggs

Roy Beggs MLA has said the latest statistics on waiting times in Accident and Emergency Departments within Northern Ireland’s hospitals make for disappointing reading. The new Ulster Unionist Party health spokesman highlighted the contrast between the A&E waiting times figures for hospitals in England and Northern Ireland in question time at Stormont this week. The East Antrim MLA has also highlighted the fact that the worst performing A&E is at Antrim Area Hospital. The East Antrim MLA pointed out to Health Minister Poots, “In England over 95 % of patients at type 1 A&Es (full time departments in acute hospitals) are seen within four hours, yet the latest published figures in NI shows only 77.7% are seen within 4 hours. In fact a large number of patients are treated after a wait of 12 hours or more.” Mr Beggs went on to urge the Minister to improve GP out of … Continue reading →

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