Menu
10/02/2010
Thalidomide Cash Aid Announced
Compensation for those hit by Thalidomide - a drug given to pregnant women to combat common symptoms of early pregnancy - has been announced.
Eighteen thalidomide survivors from Northern Ireland are to share £1.1m of Government compensation.
The controversial drug, which was withdrawn from use in the early 1960s when it was discovered that it was responsible for producing harmful effects to the foetus, has left thousands severely handicapped.
Today, NI Health Minister Michael McGimpsey (pictured) said the cash would be made available to sufferers in NI in recognition of the effects of thalidomide, which could develop after a single dose, involving mainly malformation of the limbs and defects of the ears, eyes and internal organs.
The money will be made available to the Thalidomide Trust, which was established in 1973 to provide support to those born with disabilities because their mothers had taken the drug.
This follows an announcement by Mike O'Brien, the Minister of State for Health Services that compensation is being made available for thalidomide survivors in England.
Michael McGimpsey said: "I fully support the principle of meeting the health needs for any patient who has suffered ill health through using medicines which, unknown to them, carried unacceptable safety risks.
"I can therefore confirm that £1.1m required to meet the health needs of sufferers born in Northern Ireland, will be made available to the Thalidomide Trust.
"My officials will undertake discussions with the Trust to agree how a personalised way of meeting these needs can be best achieved," he said today.
"I am sincerely sorry for the injury and suffering endured by those affected when expectant mothers took the thalidomide drug between 1958 and 1961.
"In the light of what happened, a thorough review was carried out and as a result the Medicines Control Agency (MCA), now the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), was created by the UK Medicines Act 1968.
Nick Dobrik, Deputy Chairman of the Thalidomide Trust's National Advisory Council said: "On behalf of the Thalidomide Trust National Advisory Council, I welcome this response from the Northern Ireland Government. These additional funds will help improve the quality of life of thalidomiders and enable them to maintain their independence."
(BMcC/GK)
Eighteen thalidomide survivors from Northern Ireland are to share £1.1m of Government compensation.
The controversial drug, which was withdrawn from use in the early 1960s when it was discovered that it was responsible for producing harmful effects to the foetus, has left thousands severely handicapped.
Today, NI Health Minister Michael McGimpsey (pictured) said the cash would be made available to sufferers in NI in recognition of the effects of thalidomide, which could develop after a single dose, involving mainly malformation of the limbs and defects of the ears, eyes and internal organs.
The money will be made available to the Thalidomide Trust, which was established in 1973 to provide support to those born with disabilities because their mothers had taken the drug.
This follows an announcement by Mike O'Brien, the Minister of State for Health Services that compensation is being made available for thalidomide survivors in England.
Michael McGimpsey said: "I fully support the principle of meeting the health needs for any patient who has suffered ill health through using medicines which, unknown to them, carried unacceptable safety risks.
"I can therefore confirm that £1.1m required to meet the health needs of sufferers born in Northern Ireland, will be made available to the Thalidomide Trust.
"My officials will undertake discussions with the Trust to agree how a personalised way of meeting these needs can be best achieved," he said today.
"I am sincerely sorry for the injury and suffering endured by those affected when expectant mothers took the thalidomide drug between 1958 and 1961.
"In the light of what happened, a thorough review was carried out and as a result the Medicines Control Agency (MCA), now the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), was created by the UK Medicines Act 1968.
Nick Dobrik, Deputy Chairman of the Thalidomide Trust's National Advisory Council said: "On behalf of the Thalidomide Trust National Advisory Council, I welcome this response from the Northern Ireland Government. These additional funds will help improve the quality of life of thalidomiders and enable them to maintain their independence."
(BMcC/GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
22 September 2017
Around 65 Beds To Go Across Northern Health Trust Area
Around 65 beds are to go across the Northern Health Trust area as part of planned cuts to services, the trust has said. 44 beds are being axed at Whiteabbey Hospital in Co Antrim. Management said the cuts were "temporary" at a public meeting in Newtownabbey on Thursday, 21 September. The beds could go as early as Novemeber.
Around 65 Beds To Go Across Northern Health Trust Area
Around 65 beds are to go across the Northern Health Trust area as part of planned cuts to services, the trust has said. 44 beds are being axed at Whiteabbey Hospital in Co Antrim. Management said the cuts were "temporary" at a public meeting in Newtownabbey on Thursday, 21 September. The beds could go as early as Novemeber.
24 April 2013
Nine Residential Care Homes To Close
The Northern Health and Social Care Trust is set to close all nine of its residential care homes starting in November this year, according to Unison. Two homes, Pinewood in Ballymena and Westlands in Cookstown are to close in November, followed by Rathmoyle in Moyle in January 2014.
Nine Residential Care Homes To Close
The Northern Health and Social Care Trust is set to close all nine of its residential care homes starting in November this year, according to Unison. Two homes, Pinewood in Ballymena and Westlands in Cookstown are to close in November, followed by Rathmoyle in Moyle in January 2014.
15 June 2012
Poots Putting Brakes On Causeway Hospital Announcement - Dallat
SDLP East Derry MLA John Dallat has spoken of his dismay that an expected announcement on the future of the Causeway Hospital A & E Department, which was due to be made public at a meeting of the Northern Health Trust next Friday, has effectively been shelved on the instructions of the Health Minister Edwin Poots.
Poots Putting Brakes On Causeway Hospital Announcement - Dallat
SDLP East Derry MLA John Dallat has spoken of his dismay that an expected announcement on the future of the Causeway Hospital A & E Department, which was due to be made public at a meeting of the Northern Health Trust next Friday, has effectively been shelved on the instructions of the Health Minister Edwin Poots.
29 June 2022
Mental Health Service Waiting Times 'Deeply Concerning'
Sinn Féin have said that the number of children and young people waiting on referrals for mental health services is "deeply concerning". The party's spokesperson for Mental Health, MLA Órlaithí Flynn, was speaking after figures showed that 557 young people are waiting for a referral in the Belfast Trust, while two Trusts did not have records.
Mental Health Service Waiting Times 'Deeply Concerning'
Sinn Féin have said that the number of children and young people waiting on referrals for mental health services is "deeply concerning". The party's spokesperson for Mental Health, MLA Órlaithí Flynn, was speaking after figures showed that 557 young people are waiting for a referral in the Belfast Trust, while two Trusts did not have records.
26 June 2024
Antenatal Clinics Now Offering Whooping-Cough Vaccinations
HSC Trust antenatal clinics are now offering whooping-cough vaccinations, making it more accessible for pregnant women, the Public Health Agency (PHA) has announced.
Antenatal Clinics Now Offering Whooping-Cough Vaccinations
HSC Trust antenatal clinics are now offering whooping-cough vaccinations, making it more accessible for pregnant women, the Public Health Agency (PHA) has announced.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A rather cloudy but mainly dry day with just the odd shower. Best chance of any brightness will be across northern and eastern counties. Mild. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:Another cloudy and mild night with the odd spot of rain. More widespread outbreaks of rain will spread southeast late in the night. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
