Other News In Brief

Workforce Issues Key To Improving Maternity Services – SDLP

Addressing workforce issues is key to improving maternity and neonatal services, SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath has said.

Mr McGrath was speaking after a statement from Health Minister Mike Nesbitt on the independent review in the Assembly on Tuesday.

Calling for services should be delivered on a regional basis, the South Down MLA Mr McGrath said: "In recent years we have heard repeated calls for reform of how we deliver maternity and neonatal services and my heart goes out to any family who has been impacted by the circumstances surrounding this review. I welcome the Minister's acknowledgement of the issues and his address to the Assembly today, but once again we are hearing the problems being reiterated without adequate proposals or timelines to address them.

"The key to improving maternity services lies in our workforce. If we want to train and recruit more midwives then this needs to commence immediately. If we don't increase training places at our universities and get more staff in place by next September then this will be pushed to the following year and so on and these problems will just get worse.

"We also need to accept that the most efficient way to deliver maternity and neonatal services with the best outcomes for mothers and babies is on a regional basis. This place is too small and there are too few patients requiring this kind of care to allow each trust area to operate their own systems and practices.

"This is the latest in a long line of health reviews and we need to see action from the Minister and his department to ensure that this doesn't end up on a shelf gathering dust like so many before it. Recruitment and reform are the key challenges and unless we see that work start now then we will struggle to deliver the services that people deserve." SF Welcomes Passing Of Motion On Respite Services

Sinn Féin has welcomed the passing of a motion in the Assembly calling on the health minister to urgently work to address the lack of respite services for adults and children.

The party's social care spokesperson Linda Dillon said: "Adults and children with learning difficulties and their carers deserve access to the good-quality respite services they need.

"Today in the Assembly, Sinn Féin successfully passed a motion calling on the health minister to urgently bring forward a plan to improve respite services in the North.

"Too often families and carers are placed under huge strain due to the lack of services, leaving them with limited options and feeling like they have nowhere to turn.

"I will work with all parties and the health minister to address issues facing families and carers and to ensure adults and children with learning difficulties are fully supported."

Man Critically Injured In Serious Collision In Coagh

Police appeal for witnesses to incident on Tamlaght Road

Police are investigating a serious road traffic collision that occurred in Coagh on Sunday, October 20th. The incident happened on the Tamlaght Road just outside of the town at approximately 4:35 PM.

Two vehicles were involved in the collision, resulting in injuries to both drivers. A 46-year-old man sustained injuries to his arm, while an 83-year-old man suffered serious injuries. Both men were transported to the hospital for treatment, and the older man remains in critical condition.

The road was closed for a period to allow emergency services to respond to the incident. However, it has since reopened to traffic.

Inspector Knipe said: "Our investigation is underway and anyone with information about what happened, or who has dash-cam or other footage can contact police on 101, quoting reference number 1191 20/10/24."