Other News In Brief

Families Of Michael Watt's Deceased Patients 'Deserve Answers'

The families of deceased patients of Michael Watt deserve answers about their treatment and the full truth, Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín has said.

The North Belfast MLA said:

"Thousands of patients and families were subjected to years of distress due to misdiagnosis and mistreatments and still feel the impact today.  

"They deserve answers about what happened and the full truth to make sure it can never happen again. 

"Families of deceased patients of Michael Watt who may have an interest in having their relatives’ clinical records reviewed can contact RQIA to explore this.

"They can get further information on how to do this by phoning 0800 052 0012 or emailing expert.review@rqia.org.uk or on the website rqia.org.uk.

"Sinn Féin will continue to work with and support the families to get full disclosure, truth and justice."

PCFT Conduct Search Operation In L'Derry

Detectives from the Paramilitary Crime Task Force, investigating suspected criminality linked to the L'Derry UDA have carried out a number of searches today, Thursday 23rd November.

During the searches a number of items were seized including approximately £12,000 in cash, over 50,000 counterfeit cigarettes and a quantity of CBD sweets.

Detective Inspector Phelan said: "We will continue to work with communities and partners to disrupt those involved in criminal activity, and I would appeal to anyone with information or concerns about illegal activity, or anyone with any information that can assist our investigations, to call police on 101, or submit a report online using our non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/.

"You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org/."

Alliance Calls For Action On Undersupported ADHD Services

Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw has warned that Trusts are operating with one hand tied behind their back when trying to support people with ADHD, and that this is yet another example of why a health minister with an adequate budget needs to be in place to direct the commissioning of services.

The South Belfast MLA stated: "I met departmental officials within the past few weeks to press for the commissioning of ADHD diagnosis and support services, but I recognise that at the moment Trusts are operating with one hand tied behind their back because they lack the adequate budget and political direction.

"Currently, services are based essentially on scraping together whatever support is available, with the added challenge of having to try to find some kind of pathway for many people who, understandably, have sought private diagnosis given the waiting times involved.

"Fundamentally, what we need is a commissioned service and, most of all, support for people who have clear traits of ADHD at whatever age. For that to happen, however, we need a health minister in place to provide the direction, a Health Committee in place to provide the scrutiny, and an Assembly in place to provide the budget.

"Yet again, we are seeing people requiring vital support, and indeed those trying to provide it, held up by an unwillingness to reform the system so that no one party can hold vital essential public services hostage in the manner we are currently seeing."