Other News In Brief

Man Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

A man has been convicted for claiming benefits he was not entitled to at Downpatrick Magistrates' Court.

Stuart Johnston claimed Jobseeker's Allowance and Housing Benefit totaling £4,366 while failing to declare he was living with his partner. He was given a three month prison sentence suspended for two years.

He is also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Department for Communities.

PK Murphy Completes Work On NIHE Maintenance Programme

Contractor PK Murphy has completed work on a maintenance programme for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) on over 170 homes in Newtownards, Co Down.

The work, on 172 houses in the Westwinds area, included repairing fascia boards, cleaning and mending guttering as well as painting.

NIHE's Area Manager Owen Brady said: "Investing in homes and neighbourhoods to foster vibrant communities are key objectives of the Housing Executive. We have a strong emphasis on customer satisfaction and feedback on this £247k investment in the outside of our homes has been good with residents saying it has had a positive impact on the whole area."

Health Minister Shows Support For Medical School To Be Established

SDLP Health Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA has welcomed support from the Health Minister and the Minister for the Economy for the establishment of a Medical School in the North West.

The idea for a new medical college formed part of the SDLP submission to the Programme for Government as a way to target falling GP numbers and growing waiting lists in the region.

Mr Durkan said: "The North West in particular has suffered from the extreme shortage in GPs and other frontline staff that has resulted in ever growing waiting lists and crippling pressure on our health service.

"A medical school in the North West would be an effective measure to counter this deepening crisis in the regions well as much needed boost for our local economy. I am pleased that both the Economy Minister and the Minister for Health have both expressed their interest in progressing the idea.

"It is widely expected that the Bengoa Report will advocate the need to place more emphasis on primary care - allowing patients to more easily access care in their communities, through GPs and Community Pharmacy, and thereby reduce the unmanageable stress on our hospitals."

(CD/MH)