Menu
29/09/2023
New Safe Access Zones Come Into Effect
New Safe Access Zones have come into effect today, 29 September, at eight health trust sites across NI.
The Zones are now in operation at premises run by five Health and Social Care Trusts.
These are:
• Southern Trust, Craigavon Area Hospital, 100m
• Southern Trust, Daisy Hill Hospital, 130m
• Belfast Trust, College Street, 130m
• Belfast Trust, Bradbury Wellbeing and Treatment Centre, 150m
• Northern Trust, Causeway Hospital, 100m
• Western Trust, Altnagelvin Hospital, 100m
• South Eastern Trust, Lagan Valley Hospital, 100m
• South Eastern Trust, Ulster Hospital, 100m
Safe Access Zones have been established under NI Assembly legislation, Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act (Northern Ireland) 2023, to protect women and girls accessing abortion services, information, advice and counselling, and protect staff working at these locations. It is illegal for them to be impeded, recorded, influenced or to be caused harassment, alarm or distress within the Zones.
Welcoming the move, the Alliance Party's Paula Bradshaw said: "I sat on the former Health Committee that scrutinised this Bill and having heard all the evidence presented to us, I am delighted to see this date finally arrive.
"We heard many harrowing and deeply troubling stories from women, their loved ones and healthcare providers themselves who had to run the gauntlet in trying to access the health care facilities.
"Let's hope the introduction of these zones will send a strong signal that intimidating and intrusive behaviour is not acceptable by society and will not be tolerated under the law."
The Zones are now in operation at premises run by five Health and Social Care Trusts.
These are:
• Southern Trust, Craigavon Area Hospital, 100m
• Southern Trust, Daisy Hill Hospital, 130m
• Belfast Trust, College Street, 130m
• Belfast Trust, Bradbury Wellbeing and Treatment Centre, 150m
• Northern Trust, Causeway Hospital, 100m
• Western Trust, Altnagelvin Hospital, 100m
• South Eastern Trust, Lagan Valley Hospital, 100m
• South Eastern Trust, Ulster Hospital, 100m
Safe Access Zones have been established under NI Assembly legislation, Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act (Northern Ireland) 2023, to protect women and girls accessing abortion services, information, advice and counselling, and protect staff working at these locations. It is illegal for them to be impeded, recorded, influenced or to be caused harassment, alarm or distress within the Zones.
Welcoming the move, the Alliance Party's Paula Bradshaw said: "I sat on the former Health Committee that scrutinised this Bill and having heard all the evidence presented to us, I am delighted to see this date finally arrive.
"We heard many harrowing and deeply troubling stories from women, their loved ones and healthcare providers themselves who had to run the gauntlet in trying to access the health care facilities.
"Let's hope the introduction of these zones will send a strong signal that intimidating and intrusive behaviour is not acceptable by society and will not be tolerated under the law."
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
12 March 2014
Western Trust Makes All Sites Non-Smoking Zones
Sinn Féin MLA and chairperson of the Health Committee Maeve McLaughlin has welcomed the decision by the Western Trust to make its sites entirely non-smoking zones. "I welcome the fact that all sites belonging to the Western Trust including Altnagelvin Hospital are now entirely non-smoking," said Maeve McLaughlin.
Western Trust Makes All Sites Non-Smoking Zones
Sinn Féin MLA and chairperson of the Health Committee Maeve McLaughlin has welcomed the decision by the Western Trust to make its sites entirely non-smoking zones. "I welcome the fact that all sites belonging to the Western Trust including Altnagelvin Hospital are now entirely non-smoking," said Maeve McLaughlin.
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.
20 July 2011
Belfast Hospitals 'Bugged'
Hospital hygiene is again in focus this week as a number of cases of the clostridium difficile (c.diff) bacterium have been identified in the South Eastern Trust area and a second case of tuberculosis has been confirmed at Belfast City Hospital.
Belfast Hospitals 'Bugged'
Hospital hygiene is again in focus this week as a number of cases of the clostridium difficile (c.diff) bacterium have been identified in the South Eastern Trust area and a second case of tuberculosis has been confirmed at Belfast City Hospital.
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.
05 September 2008
Maternity Plans Conceived
Key proposals for an expansion of maternity services at Craigavon Area Hospital have been announced. NI Health Minister Michael McGimpsey revealed his plans to develop maternity services in the Southern Trust area overall, which will allow for hundreds of additional births every year at Craigavon.
Maternity Plans Conceived
Key proposals for an expansion of maternity services at Craigavon Area Hospital have been announced. NI Health Minister Michael McGimpsey revealed his plans to develop maternity services in the Southern Trust area overall, which will allow for hundreds of additional births every year at Craigavon.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
