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21/12/2023
Other News In Brief
SDLP Welcomes Irish Govt Action Against Legacy Bill
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP has welcomed confirmation from Tánaiste Micheál Martin that the Irish Government will take an inter-state case challenging the British Government’s legacy legislation.
Colum Eastwood MP said: "No political party or institution on this island supports the British Government’s approach to addressing the legacy of the past. This Tory government has passed the most extreme legislation that shuts down access to justice for victims and survivors who have been fighting for decades for the truth about what happened to their loved ones.
"The British Government has clearly undermined the international treaty entered into as part of the Stormont House Agreement, they have fought political leaders from every party in the North and they have set themselves against the needs of victims and survivors. The inter-state case being taken by the Irish Government is both welcome and utterly necessary.
"If the British Government will not respect the treaties it enters into, respect international law or respect the basic tenets of justice then it must be challenged robustly."
Dept Of Health Announce New Framework Tender
The Department of Health has announced a new tender process, inviting suppliers to join a new framework for the supply of professional and technical, allied health professional, support services, administration and clerical and social care agency workers for the NI health and social care service is currently live.
The tender is due to close on 10th January 2024.
In October 2022, the then Health Minister Robin Swann said that "off contract" expenditure is not a cost-effective use of taxpayers' money, and can lead to a lack of workforce continuity, with the potential to undermine safe care. This was in the context of a planned drive to reduce agency use in health and social care.
In June this year, the Department of Health confirmed that Health and Social Trusts would no longer be able to engage social work agency staff. In August, a new Framework for the supply of agency nurses, midwives and healthcare workers meant that Trusts are no longer able to use any off Framework agencies, where no contracted terms are in place.
Department of Health Permanent Secretary Peter May said: "I very much welcome the ongoing progress in relation to reducing agency usage. The health service is facing a period of unprecedented budgetary pressures. Reducing agency spend is important and not just because of the costs involved. Staff have been clear that excessive agency use is unfair and impacts on morale. Importantly, having consistent clinical teams also enhances patient safety."
£10m Cocaine Haul Accused Denied Bail
Newry Magistrates Court has denied bail for a 38-year-old man, charged in connection with a £10 million cocaine seizure.
The man was arrested when the lorry he was driving was stopped by Slieve Gullion Neighbourhood Policing Team officers, whilst on routine patrol in the Jonesborough area of South Armagh on Monday evening, 11th December.
During a search, cocaine worth an estimated £10m was discovered hidden under a false floor in the vehicle.
Mr McBride was remanded into custody and is due to appear in court again on 16 January.
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP has welcomed confirmation from Tánaiste Micheál Martin that the Irish Government will take an inter-state case challenging the British Government’s legacy legislation.
Colum Eastwood MP said: "No political party or institution on this island supports the British Government’s approach to addressing the legacy of the past. This Tory government has passed the most extreme legislation that shuts down access to justice for victims and survivors who have been fighting for decades for the truth about what happened to their loved ones.
"The British Government has clearly undermined the international treaty entered into as part of the Stormont House Agreement, they have fought political leaders from every party in the North and they have set themselves against the needs of victims and survivors. The inter-state case being taken by the Irish Government is both welcome and utterly necessary.
"If the British Government will not respect the treaties it enters into, respect international law or respect the basic tenets of justice then it must be challenged robustly."
Dept Of Health Announce New Framework Tender
The Department of Health has announced a new tender process, inviting suppliers to join a new framework for the supply of professional and technical, allied health professional, support services, administration and clerical and social care agency workers for the NI health and social care service is currently live.
The tender is due to close on 10th January 2024.
In October 2022, the then Health Minister Robin Swann said that "off contract" expenditure is not a cost-effective use of taxpayers' money, and can lead to a lack of workforce continuity, with the potential to undermine safe care. This was in the context of a planned drive to reduce agency use in health and social care.
In June this year, the Department of Health confirmed that Health and Social Trusts would no longer be able to engage social work agency staff. In August, a new Framework for the supply of agency nurses, midwives and healthcare workers meant that Trusts are no longer able to use any off Framework agencies, where no contracted terms are in place.
Department of Health Permanent Secretary Peter May said: "I very much welcome the ongoing progress in relation to reducing agency usage. The health service is facing a period of unprecedented budgetary pressures. Reducing agency spend is important and not just because of the costs involved. Staff have been clear that excessive agency use is unfair and impacts on morale. Importantly, having consistent clinical teams also enhances patient safety."
£10m Cocaine Haul Accused Denied Bail
Newry Magistrates Court has denied bail for a 38-year-old man, charged in connection with a £10 million cocaine seizure.
The man was arrested when the lorry he was driving was stopped by Slieve Gullion Neighbourhood Policing Team officers, whilst on routine patrol in the Jonesborough area of South Armagh on Monday evening, 11th December.
During a search, cocaine worth an estimated £10m was discovered hidden under a false floor in the vehicle.
Mr McBride was remanded into custody and is due to appear in court again on 16 January.
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
03 June 2003
Report finds almost half NI population are overweight
Over half a million adults in Northern Ireland are overweight and a further 250,000 are obese, the Health Promotion Agency has revealed. The statistics also raised serious concerns about obesity in children here with a third of boys and a quarter of girls aged 12 carrying excess weight.
Report finds almost half NI population are overweight
Over half a million adults in Northern Ireland are overweight and a further 250,000 are obese, the Health Promotion Agency has revealed. The statistics also raised serious concerns about obesity in children here with a third of boys and a quarter of girls aged 12 carrying excess weight.
25 October 2024
Health Minister Unveils New Initiative To Tackle Health Inequalities
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has announced the launch of Live Better, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at addressing health inequalities in Northern Ireland. The program will initially focus on neighbourhoods in Belfast and L'Derry, with plans to expand to other communities if successful.
Health Minister Unveils New Initiative To Tackle Health Inequalities
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has announced the launch of Live Better, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at addressing health inequalities in Northern Ireland. The program will initially focus on neighbourhoods in Belfast and L'Derry, with plans to expand to other communities if successful.
14 October 2022
Swann To Reduce Agency Spending In Health And Social Care
Health Minister Robin Swann has announced new measures to reduce expenditure on agency staffing within health and social care and to eliminate the use of off-contract agencies. The use of off-contract agencies has contributed significantly to an increase in agency staff expenditure over the last decade.
Swann To Reduce Agency Spending In Health And Social Care
Health Minister Robin Swann has announced new measures to reduce expenditure on agency staffing within health and social care and to eliminate the use of off-contract agencies. The use of off-contract agencies has contributed significantly to an increase in agency staff expenditure over the last decade.
16 November 2022
CMO Highlights 'Worrying Increases' In STI Diagnoses
Chief Medical Officer, Professor Sir Michael McBride, has raised concerns over "worrying increases in the diagnoses of some Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)". Professor McBride said there was a growing trend of chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis diagnoses in Northern Ireland compared to pre-pandemic levels.
CMO Highlights 'Worrying Increases' In STI Diagnoses
Chief Medical Officer, Professor Sir Michael McBride, has raised concerns over "worrying increases in the diagnoses of some Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)". Professor McBride said there was a growing trend of chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis diagnoses in Northern Ireland compared to pre-pandemic levels.
21 July 2022
Health Minister Praises Work Of New Ballymena Youth Facility
Health Minister Robin Swann has praised the work of a newly launched youth facility in Ballymena providing information and support that young people need to navigate the challenges of adolescence and early adulthood.
Health Minister Praises Work Of New Ballymena Youth Facility
Health Minister Robin Swann has praised the work of a newly launched youth facility in Ballymena providing information and support that young people need to navigate the challenges of adolescence and early adulthood.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy. Also mainly dry at first this evening but then occasional outbreaks of rain developing overnight. Light southwest winds, and staying mild. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
