Other News In Brief

SDLP Urge Govt To Meet With Royal College of Nursing

The SDLP has urged the British government to meet with the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and reach an agreement to pay nurses fairly.

Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath said the government needs to engage with all health staff and their unions to address concerns around pay and safe staffing.

He said nurses and other health staff had been let down by Stormont and that the British government could no longer allow the situation to drift given the impact on staff and patients.

South Down MLA Mr McGrath said: "Our nurses and our health staff play a huge role in our society and they should not have been reduced to striking and setting up picket lines in the freezing cold. These are the people who we rely on to look after us and our loved ones throughout our lives and they deserve better than spending years fighting for fair pay and working conditions.

"We asked so much of these people during the coronavirus pandemic, many of these nurses and other health staff put themselves and their families directly in harm's way at a very scary time for everyone, without their selfless efforts the pandemic would have been much worse and many more families could be without loved ones.

"Now we have emerged from the pandemic straight into a cost of living emergency and how have these staff been repaid? Their pleas for fair pay have fallen on deaf ears, leaving many struggling to get by, to heat their homes, feed their families and keep their cars running with bills getting ever higher. It's hardly a surprise that morale has plummeted and staff have felt they have no other choice but to commence industrial action.

"The British government needs to sit down with the RCN and the other unions, acknowledge their concerns and reach a fair pay agreement. No health worker should be demonised for wanting to keep themselves and their patients safe and to earn enough to live a decent life after working long, backbreaking shifts in our health service. But we also need the immediate resumption of devolved government at Stormont so that reform to the conditions our health service staff work in and transformation of the service can continue. Devolved government in Scotland, where nurses are not on strike, is demonstrating how local administrations can make the difference to health service staff. It's time for the DUP to end their boycott of government and for political leaders to get back to work."

SF 'Deeply Concerned' About Situation At Royal And Mater Emergency Departments

Reports of crisis situations in Emergency Departments in the Royal and Mater hospitals have been described as "deeply concerning" by Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín.

The North Belfast MLA has met with the Belfast Trust today along with Belfast MPs John Finucane and Paul Maskey.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Carál Ní Chuilín said: "Ongoing reports of issues in the Emergency Departments in the Royal Victoria and Mater hospitals are deeply concerning.

"Staff have told us of the huge pressure they are facing while trying to care for very sick and vulnerable patients in unsafe conditions due to a lack of staff and planning for winter pressures.

"Patients and health staff deserve to be treated and work in safe conditions.

"This reinforces the need to form an Executive now to deliver a three-year budget and to invest an extra £1 billion in the health service to hire more doctors and nurses and tackle chronic waiting lists.

"Sinn Féin will meet with the Chief Executive of Belfast Trust tomorrow regarding the need to tackle this crisis in the Emergency Departments in the RVH Children's Hospital and to ensure the safety of staff and patients."

Police Appeal To Cyclist Involved In Accident At Broadway Roundabout

The PSNI have issued an appeal for information and witnesses following a one-vehicle road traffic collision at Broadway roundabout, Belfast on Thursday morning, 15th December.

Sergeant Rooney said: "Shortly after 7.45am it was reported to police that a cyclist was struck by a car in the area at a pedestrian crossing.

"The cyclist left the scene, declining any medical treatment prior to the arrival of officers. He is described as wearing a dark hat, dark coat, blue bottoms and had a rucksack on his back.

"We are keen to hear from the cyclist to ensure he is okay, and not badly injured. We would therefore appeal to him to make himself known to us so we can check on his well-being.

"Our enquiries remain ongoing and we would appeal to anyone who witnessed the collision or who may have dash-cam footage available to contact police on 101 quoting reference number 227 of 15/12/22."