Tag Archives: Ulster Unionist Party

Ulster Unionist MLA Roy Beggs has questioned why the Health Minister has not taken up a UK wide scheme which offers free access to an increased range of medicines for cancer and other diseases. The East Antrim MLA was speaking after directly challenging the Minister on why he had failed to take full advantage of the UK wide agreement with the pharmaceutical sector. Roy Beggs MLA said; “Two weeks ago the Minister made an expediently timed statement that reintroducing prescription charges would be able to pay for an array of new cancer drugs. At the time he was coming under increasing pressure because cancer patients in Northern Ireland do not have anywhere near the same access to drugs as those in England. My Party has been saying for some time that this postcode lottery needed to be brought to an end and that a dedicated drugs fund was the way … Continue reading →

Ulster Unionist MLA Roy Beggs has accused the Health Minister of trying to deflect attention from the growing crisis in Northern Ireland’s accident and emergency units. The East Antrim MLA was speaking after the Minister sought to highlight a reduction in the number of people waiting over 12 hours in A&Es, whilst failing to address the issue that the number of people not being treated in the normal 4 hour target is rising rapidly year-on-year. Roy Beggs MLA said; “Whilst Northern Ireland has a target to treat 95% of patients attending our main emergency departments within 4 hours, recently released figures show that the proportion of people treated on time and discharged home or admitted in 2013/14 was 78.1%. That appalling figure even breaks the record low rate of 78.5% witnessed in 2012/13. “Whilst I do note that there has been some progress made in addressing the issue of people … Continue reading →

Roy Beggs MLA, who has been contacted by a number of residents has highlighted community concern at the scale of the Oakwood Road bonfire which includes 100’s of tyres, adjacent to housing and a major NIE power line. Roy Beggs said, “The burning of 100’s of tyres in an open fire will expose the local community to carcinogenic compounds and sooth particulates associated from burning rubber.  There are already concerns at the levels of cancer in the Carrickfergus area.  In addition many suffer from respiratory difficulties which will be exacerbated by the dense smoke given off from burning rubber tyres In addition, these tyres destined to be burnt, are sited close to housing and only 15 metres from one of the main High Voltage transmission lines serving NI.  Give the temperatures that such a fire would reach, I am concerned at the risks to both local residential property and the … Continue reading →

Ulster Unionist Health Spokesperson Roy Beggs MLA has challenged the DCAL minister to outline her proposals to promote walking as a leisure activity. Roy Beggs MLA who is a keen recreational walker said “Walking is an easy way for the majority of us to keep fit and healthy.  In my constituency of East Antrim, there is an abundance of scenic countryside to explore and I feel that we should be investing more  resources into creating more pathways and routes for ramblers to explore and increasing the uptake in walking.” The DCAL Minister responded by stating, “ My Department through Sport NI and in partnership with DOE and DETI funds Outdoor Recreation NI in support of its outdoor recreation Action Plan ‘Our Great Outdoors’ 2013-2020.  This plan details a range of activity to ensure that outdoor recreation as a leisure activity contributes significantly to healthy lifestyles for local people from all … Continue reading →

East Antrim Ulster Unionist MLA, Roy Beggs Jr., also his Party Health Spokesperson, recently met with Andrew Duncan of McDonalds at the companies event in the Long Gallery, Stormont.