Other News In Brief

Call For Urgent Action To Address Shortage Of HRT Products

SDLP Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin has called for urgent action from the Department of Health to address a shortage of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) products.

She urged Health Minister Robin Swann to follow the example of England, where pharmacists can swap medications without a prescription from a doctor.

Scotland is also considering the introduction of new drugs to help address the shortage.

She said: "We need to see urgent steps taken to address the shortage of HRT medication in the North and across these islands which is having a severe impact on women. While I appreciate the department has said they are considering the issues, what we need to see is action to get products out to people who need them before their health begins to suffer.

"We have seen new powers being given to pharmacists in England to allow them to substitute prescriptions when there are shortages of certain products and Scotland is also considering introducing new treatments in the interim. I see no reason why the North can’t take similar action to ensure that we can get this medicine to people.

"I will be following this matter up directly with Health Minister Robin Swann and asking him to take the necessary steps to ensure that nobody has to deal with the stress of not being able to access HRT products."

New UUP Chairwoman Appointed

Councillor Jill Macauley has been appointed as the new Chairwoman of the Ulster Unionist Party following Danny Kennedy's decision to step down having served over two and a half years in the role.

Jill was announced as the Party Chairwoman at a meeting of the Ulster Unionist Party Executive held in Tamnamore on Saturday.

Cllr Jill Macauley said: "It is a huge honour and privilege to be appointed by Party Leader Doug Beattie as the new Chairwoman of the Ulster Unionist Party. I am very excited for the future. I have big shoes to fill following Danny’s decision to stand down. Danny is a person of the utmost character and integrity and I wish him all the very best for the future. I don’t think anybody appreciates the magnitude of the work that goes on behind the scenes to help guide this great party forward and I intend to bring the same commitment and dedication as Danny and his predecessors.

"My focus will be on growth, attracting new party members and females in particular. We need to select and elect more female representatives to reflect the modern Northern Ireland. We are not where we want to be, but with a bit more focus and work we can get there.

"I look forward to working with the Party Leader, fellow Party Officers and Party members as we gear up for next year’s council elections or perhaps an Assembly election before that.

"I recognise that there will be challenges ahead, but that is not anything that I or my colleagues are afraid of, nor will we shy away from. We need to focus on the future to build a better Northern Ireland and strengthen our place within the United Kingdom with the confident and positive unionism of the Ulster Unionist Party."

Children In Need Of School Meals Closer To Going Without - Alliance

Alliance MLA Nuala McAllister has described as "shameful" the on-going impasse at Stormont, as it brings children in need of school meals a week closer to going without.

The Department of Education recently confirmed the payments needed to ensure children receive school meals over the summer months was not yet in place, with figures predicting around 98,000 children could go without.

"We find ourselves at the start of another week, and another step closer to summer without this issue resolved. This is the real cost of the DUP's destructive politics," said North Belfast MLA Ms McAllister.

"DUP representatives might have turned up to ensure they get their salaries, but it is unacceptable they have washed their hands of the real problems facing people, putting party politics before everything.

"We must do better. The majority of people voted for parties who want to see a functioning Government, with representatives dedicated to dealing with the cost of living, rising health waiting lists and feeding children in need."