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01/12/2022
Other News In Brief
Colum Eastwood Secures Action From PM On BBC Radio Foyle Cuts
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP has secured a commitment from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to raise proposed cuts to programming and staff at BBC Radio Foyle directly with the broadcaster's leadership at the earliest opportunity.
The Foyle MP raised BBC Northern Ireland's proposals to cut the flagship Breakfast Show and news bulletins from the station's programming as well as a significant proportion of news staff at Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons today.
Colum Eastwood MP said:
"Yesterday BBC Northern Ireland announced cuts to flagship programming and jobs at BBC Radio Foyle that are designed, in my view, to make the station unsustainable and pave the way for a shutdown of the service.
"Highly skilled local journalists providing a public service are facing losing their jobs and people across the North West are going to lose a vital public service without immediate intervention. That is why I raised the issue with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in the House of Commons this afternoon and I am pleased that he has now committed to raising the issue with the leadership of the BBC at the earliest opportunity.
"The BBC charter places a duty on the organisation to ensure that audiences can engage fully with local and regional issues. This decision is a very clear breach of that obligation. It is critical that the decision is opposed at every level and the SDLP will continue to gather a coalition of opposition to the proposals."
Neurology Review 'Still Leaves Questions Unanswered' – Alliance
The review of the clinical records of 44 patients who died under the care of Dr Michael Watt still leaves questions unanswered for huge numbers of people, Alliance Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has said.
This separate review looking at the deaths of these 44 patients arose from a 2018 recall of 2,500 outpatients who were under Dr Watt's care at the Belfast Health Trust until his departure in 2017. Among other findings, the review reported a misdiagnosis rate of 45% among this group of patients, twice that for living patients, and found there to have been "significant failures in their treatment" and "poor communication with families".
Paula stated: "Having spoken with the families of victims and heard their shocking testimonies, sadly the outcome of this review comes as no surprise. Consistently we heard of a dismissive attitude and a lack of response to genuine concerns. The catalogue of failures, including blatant misdiagnoses and invasive and unnecessary treatment, is tragic but is now well known to those of us working with those affected.
"This will leave huge numbers of people in Northern Ireland, including some who fell within the scope of the review but also the many who did not, with unanswered questions. There are many other cohorts, both of families of those who died and of survivors who were in Michael Watt's care, who also need to have their testimonies heard.
"It is essential that the families of victims who died have access to considerably more services than is currently the case, not just to find out the truth of what happened to their loved ones or to seek appropriate redress, but also to benefit from wider ranging bereavement support.
"There will naturally also be unanswered questions for survivors of misdiagnosis and invasive treatment, many of whom also need more holistic care and support.
"I'm meeting with the Royal College of Physicians today to discuss these findings and, along with my Alliance Party colleagues, we will do all we can, despite the current deadlock, to ensure that support is available and those who need to be held to account are held to account."
EU Should Focus On 'Solutions Not Sanctions' – DUP
The European Union should focus on replacing the Northern Ireland Protocol with arrangements that unionists and nationalists can support rather than brandishing threats of sanction, DUP Upper Bann MLA Diane Dodds has said.
She made the comments after the European Council and Parliament agreed plans to restrict trade with the UK for a failure to comply with the Protocol.
Mrs Dodds said: "The EU is failing to recognise the concerns of Unionists. Despite the Protocol driving up the cost of doing business, hindering the supply of medicines and preventing the devolved institutions from functioning, Brussels refuses to face the reality that the very arrangements it insisted upon are undermining political and economic stability in Northern Ireland.
"For weeks we have been told the mood music is good and that talks have been constructive. Yet the EU seems to be focused on punishing the UK for having the audacity to protect the integrity of its internal market. The hypocrisy is staggering. Let’s not forget that it was the EU that moved to trigger Article 16 to stop the supply of vaccines during the pandemic.
"Rather than using the threat of sanctions as a stick to beat the Government, the EU need to get on with agreeing alternative arrangements that can command the support of both unionists and nationalists in Northern Ireland. Any solution must restore the consent principle at the heart of the Belfast and St Andrew’s Agreements. Not a single Unionist MP or MLA supports the Protocol. Without a return to consensus politics the future of devolution will remain on life-support.
"It is crucial that the Government hold their nerve in the face of this aggression but most of all there is a need for decisive action. An antidote for the poison the Protocol has injected into our politics is found in the Protocol Bill. Ministers must not shy away from taking the necessary steps to bring matters to a head and finally restore Northern Ireland’s place in the United Kingdom."
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP has secured a commitment from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to raise proposed cuts to programming and staff at BBC Radio Foyle directly with the broadcaster's leadership at the earliest opportunity.
The Foyle MP raised BBC Northern Ireland's proposals to cut the flagship Breakfast Show and news bulletins from the station's programming as well as a significant proportion of news staff at Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons today.
Colum Eastwood MP said:
"Yesterday BBC Northern Ireland announced cuts to flagship programming and jobs at BBC Radio Foyle that are designed, in my view, to make the station unsustainable and pave the way for a shutdown of the service.
"Highly skilled local journalists providing a public service are facing losing their jobs and people across the North West are going to lose a vital public service without immediate intervention. That is why I raised the issue with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in the House of Commons this afternoon and I am pleased that he has now committed to raising the issue with the leadership of the BBC at the earliest opportunity.
"The BBC charter places a duty on the organisation to ensure that audiences can engage fully with local and regional issues. This decision is a very clear breach of that obligation. It is critical that the decision is opposed at every level and the SDLP will continue to gather a coalition of opposition to the proposals."
Neurology Review 'Still Leaves Questions Unanswered' – Alliance
The review of the clinical records of 44 patients who died under the care of Dr Michael Watt still leaves questions unanswered for huge numbers of people, Alliance Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has said.
This separate review looking at the deaths of these 44 patients arose from a 2018 recall of 2,500 outpatients who were under Dr Watt's care at the Belfast Health Trust until his departure in 2017. Among other findings, the review reported a misdiagnosis rate of 45% among this group of patients, twice that for living patients, and found there to have been "significant failures in their treatment" and "poor communication with families".
Paula stated: "Having spoken with the families of victims and heard their shocking testimonies, sadly the outcome of this review comes as no surprise. Consistently we heard of a dismissive attitude and a lack of response to genuine concerns. The catalogue of failures, including blatant misdiagnoses and invasive and unnecessary treatment, is tragic but is now well known to those of us working with those affected.
"This will leave huge numbers of people in Northern Ireland, including some who fell within the scope of the review but also the many who did not, with unanswered questions. There are many other cohorts, both of families of those who died and of survivors who were in Michael Watt's care, who also need to have their testimonies heard.
"It is essential that the families of victims who died have access to considerably more services than is currently the case, not just to find out the truth of what happened to their loved ones or to seek appropriate redress, but also to benefit from wider ranging bereavement support.
"There will naturally also be unanswered questions for survivors of misdiagnosis and invasive treatment, many of whom also need more holistic care and support.
"I'm meeting with the Royal College of Physicians today to discuss these findings and, along with my Alliance Party colleagues, we will do all we can, despite the current deadlock, to ensure that support is available and those who need to be held to account are held to account."
EU Should Focus On 'Solutions Not Sanctions' – DUP
The European Union should focus on replacing the Northern Ireland Protocol with arrangements that unionists and nationalists can support rather than brandishing threats of sanction, DUP Upper Bann MLA Diane Dodds has said.
She made the comments after the European Council and Parliament agreed plans to restrict trade with the UK for a failure to comply with the Protocol.
Mrs Dodds said: "The EU is failing to recognise the concerns of Unionists. Despite the Protocol driving up the cost of doing business, hindering the supply of medicines and preventing the devolved institutions from functioning, Brussels refuses to face the reality that the very arrangements it insisted upon are undermining political and economic stability in Northern Ireland.
"For weeks we have been told the mood music is good and that talks have been constructive. Yet the EU seems to be focused on punishing the UK for having the audacity to protect the integrity of its internal market. The hypocrisy is staggering. Let’s not forget that it was the EU that moved to trigger Article 16 to stop the supply of vaccines during the pandemic.
"Rather than using the threat of sanctions as a stick to beat the Government, the EU need to get on with agreeing alternative arrangements that can command the support of both unionists and nationalists in Northern Ireland. Any solution must restore the consent principle at the heart of the Belfast and St Andrew’s Agreements. Not a single Unionist MP or MLA supports the Protocol. Without a return to consensus politics the future of devolution will remain on life-support.
"It is crucial that the Government hold their nerve in the face of this aggression but most of all there is a need for decisive action. An antidote for the poison the Protocol has injected into our politics is found in the Protocol Bill. Ministers must not shy away from taking the necessary steps to bring matters to a head and finally restore Northern Ireland’s place in the United Kingdom."
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01 November 2019
BBC Three Scheme Launches For NI Production Firms
BBC Three is inviting independent production companies based in Northern Ireland to submit format ideas as part of a youth content development scheme with the promise of a factual entertainment series for the channel.
BBC Three Scheme Launches For NI Production Firms
BBC Three is inviting independent production companies based in Northern Ireland to submit format ideas as part of a youth content development scheme with the promise of a factual entertainment series for the channel.
09 March 2012
BBC To Commemorate Titantic
BC Northern Ireland will mark the 100th anniversary of the iconic Titanic with a season of special programming to commemorate the 1,500 lives lost when the ship sank a century ago and to celebrate the craftsmanship behind Belfast’s most famous creation.
BBC To Commemorate Titantic
BC Northern Ireland will mark the 100th anniversary of the iconic Titanic with a season of special programming to commemorate the 1,500 lives lost when the ship sank a century ago and to celebrate the craftsmanship behind Belfast’s most famous creation.
12 September 2011
Thousands Flocked To Bangor BBC Proms
Thousands of people enjoyed an evening of classical and contemporary music in the grounds of Castle Park, Bangor at this year's BBC Proms in the Park on Saturday 10 September.
Thousands Flocked To Bangor BBC Proms
Thousands of people enjoyed an evening of classical and contemporary music in the grounds of Castle Park, Bangor at this year's BBC Proms in the Park on Saturday 10 September.
06 May 2010
North West 200 Gets 'Greenlight'
The North West 200 motorcycle race event is a continuing hit with TV viewers with an Isle of Man programme-maker revving-up for the BBC coverage. Greenlight TV has signed a five-year deal with BBC Northern Ireland for production of the race for this year's live and highlight coverage of Ireland's most famous road race.
North West 200 Gets 'Greenlight'
The North West 200 motorcycle race event is a continuing hit with TV viewers with an Isle of Man programme-maker revving-up for the BBC coverage. Greenlight TV has signed a five-year deal with BBC Northern Ireland for production of the race for this year's live and highlight coverage of Ireland's most famous road race.
18 March 2008
Arresting Time As BBC NI Journalists Make The News
BBC Northern Ireland journalists have found themselves making the headlines in a new capacity after being involved in a dramatic police chase in Co Donegal. Police chased a white van containing, seven people - including the BBC journalists - after it failed to stop for Garda who then rammed the van.
Arresting Time As BBC NI Journalists Make The News
BBC Northern Ireland journalists have found themselves making the headlines in a new capacity after being involved in a dramatic police chase in Co Donegal. Police chased a white van containing, seven people - including the BBC journalists - after it failed to stop for Garda who then rammed the van.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A very mild, but mostly cloudy day, although with some bright or sunny spells. It will be mostly dry in the morning, but a little patchy light rain or drizzle at times in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:A band of heavier rain will move east during the evening before clearing eastwards after midnight. then mostly dry through the early hours, but a little rain towards dawn. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
