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23/02/2018
Other News In Brief
Woman Convicted Of Benefit Fraud
A woman has been convicted for claiming £30,231 benefits she was not entitled to at Downpatrick Crown Court.
Julie Strain claimed Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support and Housing Benefit totalling £30,231 while failing to declare employment and that she was living with someone. She was given an eight month prison sentence suspended for two years.
The fraud was uncovered following an investigation by the Department for Communities.
She is also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Department for Communities.
Significant Progress Made On £25m Leisure Centre In West Belfast
Significant progress is being made on a new £25 million leisure centre in west Belfast.
Construction work is continuing on the Andersonstown Leisure Centre and the final exterior drawings have been welcomed by Sinn Féin.
The development is part of Belfast City Council's £105 million 10-year programme to improve centres, programmes and services across the city.
MLA Paul Maskey said: "These facilities will improve the users' health by encouraging more people to live a healthy and active lifestyle. Sport and exercise are extremely powerful tools in helping tackle mental health problems and improving positive wellbeing.
"Sinn Féin look forward to the opening of these top-class facilities which include a large family fun focused area of leisure water, a 25m six lane pool with 50 spectator seats, a 140-station fitness suite, a multipurpose room and a range of outdoor provision such as five-a-side pitches."
Hospital Waiting Figures Are 'Unacceptable' - SDLP
SDLP Health spokesperson and Foyle MLA, Mark H Durkan, has expressed his disappointment that a key health commitment has not been met as patients are still waiting longer than they should for a first outpatient appointment a hospital.
He made the comments after data from the Department of Health highlight that at the end of December last year, 271,553 patients were waiting for a hospital appointment with a consultant.
Mr Durkan commented: "The Department's Elective Care Plan made a commitment that no-one should wait more than one year for a first outpatient appointment. The latest set of figures are unacceptable and continue to paint a bleak picture with little sign of improvement.
"Those on hospital waiting lists continue to suffer while the two larger parties are engaged in political brinkmanship. Instability and lack of action continue to facilitate excessively long waiting lists here.
"Every week I hear from people having difficulty in accessing the healthcare they need while our health care professionals are under increased pressure working in a system close to breaking point. The lack of a Stormont Executive and oversight from a Minister is damaging for the health service."
(CD)
A woman has been convicted for claiming £30,231 benefits she was not entitled to at Downpatrick Crown Court.
Julie Strain claimed Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support and Housing Benefit totalling £30,231 while failing to declare employment and that she was living with someone. She was given an eight month prison sentence suspended for two years.
The fraud was uncovered following an investigation by the Department for Communities.
She is also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Department for Communities.
Significant Progress Made On £25m Leisure Centre In West Belfast
Significant progress is being made on a new £25 million leisure centre in west Belfast.
Construction work is continuing on the Andersonstown Leisure Centre and the final exterior drawings have been welcomed by Sinn Féin.
The development is part of Belfast City Council's £105 million 10-year programme to improve centres, programmes and services across the city.
MLA Paul Maskey said: "These facilities will improve the users' health by encouraging more people to live a healthy and active lifestyle. Sport and exercise are extremely powerful tools in helping tackle mental health problems and improving positive wellbeing.
"Sinn Féin look forward to the opening of these top-class facilities which include a large family fun focused area of leisure water, a 25m six lane pool with 50 spectator seats, a 140-station fitness suite, a multipurpose room and a range of outdoor provision such as five-a-side pitches."
Hospital Waiting Figures Are 'Unacceptable' - SDLP
SDLP Health spokesperson and Foyle MLA, Mark H Durkan, has expressed his disappointment that a key health commitment has not been met as patients are still waiting longer than they should for a first outpatient appointment a hospital.
He made the comments after data from the Department of Health highlight that at the end of December last year, 271,553 patients were waiting for a hospital appointment with a consultant.
Mr Durkan commented: "The Department's Elective Care Plan made a commitment that no-one should wait more than one year for a first outpatient appointment. The latest set of figures are unacceptable and continue to paint a bleak picture with little sign of improvement.
"Those on hospital waiting lists continue to suffer while the two larger parties are engaged in political brinkmanship. Instability and lack of action continue to facilitate excessively long waiting lists here.
"Every week I hear from people having difficulty in accessing the healthcare they need while our health care professionals are under increased pressure working in a system close to breaking point. The lack of a Stormont Executive and oversight from a Minister is damaging for the health service."
(CD)
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05 December 2002
Rise in hospital waiting lists 'disappointing' says Browne
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03 June 2021
Call For Funding Response To Hospital Waiting List Crisis
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Call For Funding Response To Hospital Waiting List Crisis
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22 July 2015
Call For Action Plan To Be Implemented To Deal With Hospital Waiting Lists
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Call For Action Plan To Be Implemented To Deal With Hospital Waiting Lists
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28 May 2021
Call For Urgent Meeting To Address Waiting List Crisis
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Call For Urgent Meeting To Address Waiting List Crisis
The SDLP is calling for an urgent meeting with the Finance and Health Ministers after further details of the extent of the waiting list crisis have been published. MLAs Cara Hunter and Matthew O'Toole said that this is the biggest crisis facing people in Northern Ireland and it must be the most urgent priority for political leaders.
02 March 2006
Inpatient waiting lists reach ten-year low
Waiting lists for inpatients and day-patients have reached their lowest in ten years, Health Minister Shaun Woodward revealed today. The number of people waiting over a year for appointments has almost dropped by 50% over the past quarter.
Inpatient waiting lists reach ten-year low
Waiting lists for inpatients and day-patients have reached their lowest in ten years, Health Minister Shaun Woodward revealed today. The number of people waiting over a year for appointments has almost dropped by 50% over the past quarter.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A cloudy day with outbreaks of mainly light rain at times, although there may be the odd heavier burst. Driest in the south and east during the afternoon. Moderate southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:Staying cloudy throughout the evening and overnight period with a little rain or drizzle at times. Mild overnight with light winds. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
