Category Archives: Health Committee

Mr Beggs is a Committee member of the Health Committee (DHSSPS).

Beggs welcomes Business Case approval for new Mental Health Inpatient Unit at Antrim Hospital

Ulster Unionist Party representative Roy Beggs MLA has welcomed the approval of a Business Case for the development of a new Mental Health Inpatient Unit at Antrim Area Hospital. Roy Beggs MLA said “I am glad to hear that the Business Case for the development of the new Mental Health Inpatient Unit on the Antrim Area Hospital site has been approved. This new facility will replace the outdated Holywell and Tobernaveen sites. The new, modern and purpose built facility will have 134 beds and provide a considerable upgrade and replacement.” Ends

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Department of Health Brexit briefing provides a degree of reassurance – Beggs

Following a detailed Department of Health briefing on its Brexit contingency planning, Ulster Unionist Health Spokesperson Roy Beggs MLA has said he was glad to receive a degree of reassurance that there is significant planning taking place for when the United Kingdom leaves the European Union. Roy Beggs said: “Brexit will inevitably have major implications for health and social care across Northern Ireland. A no-deal exit in particular could have a drastic effect on patient care as the availability of staff, medicines and vaccines could all be impacted if not adequately planned for and managed. “During the briefing I was reassured to learn that a degree of stockpiling of key drugs and medical devices has already occurred, as well as planning for other time-sensitive medicines in order to minimise risks to patients. “Last week I revealed there were almost 7,500 vacancies across the local health and social care system. It … Continue reading

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Yes, I donate. Do you?

At the start of Organ Donation Week, UUP Health Spokesman Roy Beggs MLA has highlighted the importance of increasing the number of organ donations. He has also again called for an urgent return of a local devolved government so that Northern Ireland can follow the successful soft opt-out organ donation model that has now been approved in Wales, England and recently Scotland. Roy Beggs said: “In the absence of the soft opt out scheme that has been legislated for in the rest of the UK, I would urge everyone to join the local organ donation register by phoning 0300 123 23 23, joining on-line or by completing a form. It is important to join the scheme and speak to family members so that they know your intentions. It is a selfless act and no one knows if their own family member will need a donation from someone else in the … Continue reading

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New Secretary of State must intervene for the safety of local patients – Beggs

Ulster Unionist Party Health Spokesperson Roy Beggs MLA has urged the new Secretary of State to ditch the policy of his predecessor and directly intervene for the benefit of local patients. The East Antrim MLA has also warned that following the latest publication of emergency hospital waiting times it is now an almost certainty that the local health service is lurching towards a major winter crisis later this year. Roy Beggs said: “This is not a blip, or a short-term problem – our health service is in the midst of its worst ever waiting times crisis and it’s getting worse with every passing day. People are coming to harm because they can’t get the right type of treatment when they need it. “The fact that more than 2,800 patients in June had to wait longer than 12 hours is frightening not only in its scale, but also due to the … Continue reading

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Emergency Department waiting times wouldn’t be tolerated anywhere else in the UK

Emergency Department waiting times wouldn’t be tolerated anywhere else in the UK – Beggs Ulster Unionist Health Spokesperson Roy Beggs MLA has again highlighted that the local A&E waiting times would simply not be tolerated in any other part of the United Kingdom. Roy Beggs said: “Between April 2018 and March 2019, 88% of patients in England were treated or admitted within four hours, according to NHS England data. The figure for all the main emergency units across Northern Ireland for just the month of March 2019 was 62.3%. Whilst it’s marginally better than what it was in March 2018, any attempt by the local Department of Health to proclaim some sort of accomplishment would be totally misplaced. “Doctors in England have been warning that patients are ‘dying prematurely’ amid ‘intolerable’ hospital delays there. I am frightened to think what those same doctors would have to say about ours. “I … Continue reading

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