29/11/2024

Other News In Brief

Man Arrested After Shooting Incident In Crumlin

Police in Crumlin have arrested a 58-year-old man in connection with a shooting incident that occurred on Thursday, November 28th.

The incident took place at a residential property in the Randox Road area around 5:30 PM. A man, who was at the property on a business matter, alleged that a shot was fired at him following a disagreement. Fortunately, he was unharmed but left shaken by the ordeal.

Detectives are continuing their investigation and are appealing to anyone with information to contact them on 101, quoting reference number 1253 of 28/11/24.

A report can also be made online using the non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/

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

Record Health Waiting Lists Result Of 'Political Dysfunction' – Alliance

Record health waiting lists is the results of "political dysfunction" in Northern Ireland, Alliance Health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA has said.

McAllister made the comments following the quarterly diagnostic waiting list statistics, published by the Department of Health, show the real-world impact of the cycle of collapse from Sinn Fein and the DUP at Stormont.

The statistics showed that 506,612 people in Northern Ireland were waiting to be seen by a specialist consultant for diagnosis as of September, the highest number on record.

The North Belfast MLA said: "This is a record that no one wanted to see, but unfortunately the lack of progress in health reform alongside an abundance of political dysfunction has led us to this point.

"We should be eight years into a ten-year health transformation programme as set out in the 'Systems, Not Structures' report from Professor Bengoa, which each of the main five parties signed up to in 2016.

"Instead, the DUP and Sinn Féin deprived us of government for five of those eight years.
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"We also need to ensure that decisions around transformation are based on evidence and that parties are able to show the leadership required, something that is too often lacking when it comes to decisions around health.

"Alliance will never be found wanting when it comes to health reform. I challenge all other parties to join us so that Northern Ireland does not have more record-breaking health waiting statistics like we have seen today."

NHS Focus Must Be To Protect Life – DUP

The focus of our National Health Service must be to protect life, Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has said ahead of the debate in Parliament on assisted dying on Friday.

The DUP MP said: "Many of those who have indicated support for this bill do so because they believe it is a compassionate alternative to the great suffering faced by many people towards the end of their life. A desire to reduce suffering must motivate everyone, but without properly addressing issues in palliative care it is wrong to press people towards ending their lives.

"Our Health Service must be focused on protecting life, and on protecting the vulnerable. It is a reality that in every case where assisted suicide has been introduced elsewhere, its scope has widened beyond the often, narrow focus of its initial introduction. It will be those who are most marginalised and who have the fewest resources who are likely to feel most pressure to remove the 'burden' they may feel they have become.

"The safeguards included within the bill, whilst bureaucratic and placing a significant burden on the legal system, lack detail on how they will make a real difference to prevent the kind of coercion or pressure which will inevitably form part of the system.

""It is tempting to portray Friday's vote as somehow bringing a line under this issue. If MPs decide to back the legislation there can be no doubt however that it will actually be the start of a very long process over years and even decades that will see many more people ending their life rather than receiving the care they deserve."


Latest Northern Ireland News

29 November 2024
New Pharmacy First Service To Ease Winter Pressures
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has announced the launch of a new 'Pharmacy First for Sore Throat' service, which will be available in community pharmacies across Northern Ireland from 1 December 2024. The service will offer advice, assessment, and treatment for people aged five and over who are suffering from a sore throat.
29 November 2024
£1.2m Fund To Support Pre-School Children With SEN
Education Minister Paul Givan has announced a £1.2 million fund to support pre-school children with special educational needs (SEN). The pilot fund will provide financial support to pre-school settings that have at least one child undergoing a statutory assessment of their educational needs.
29 November 2024
Justice Minister Aims To Improve Victims And Witnesses Services
The Justice Minister, Naomi Long, has announced proposals to improve the experience of services for victims and witnesses of crime. The Minister has launched a public consultation, seeking the views of the public as it develops its Victims and Witnesses of Crime Bill.
29 November 2024
Appeal Following Arson Attack In Ballymena
Police are investigating an arson attack in Ballymena in the early hours of Friday morning. Officers were called to reports of a fire in the Dunclug Park area at around 2.45am. Firefighters extinguished the blaze, but a carport, two cars, and several tools were extensively damaged. A third car was also damaged.
29 November 2024
£350,000 Boost For SME Productivity
Economy Minister Conor Murphy has announced a new £350,000 initiative to boost productivity and skills in small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs). The SME Productivity Booster aims to help over 70 businesses across Northern Ireland by providing them with the skills and knowledge they need to improve their productivity and competitiveness.
29 November 2024
Three More Arrested After Police Pursuit And Ramming In Kilrea
Police have arrested five men in connection with a dangerous incident in Kilrea on the afternoon of Wednesday, 27 November. Officers were called to reports of a disturbance at a shop on Mill Road, where a vehicle was used to ram the building. A woman was also assaulted during the incident.
29 November 2024
Other News In Brief
Man Arrested After Shooting Incident In Crumlin Police in Crumlin have arrested a 58-year-old man in connection with a shooting incident that occurred on Thursday, November 28th. The incident took place at a residential property in the Randox Road area around 5:30 PM.
28 November 2024
Pharmacies Offer Winter Health Advice
Community pharmacies across Northern Ireland are offering advice and support to help people stay healthy during the winter months. The Living Well initiative, delivered in partnership with the Public Health Agency, Community Pharmacy NI, and the Department of Health, provides information and advice on public health issues.
28 November 2024
Former Headmaster Jailed For Child Sexual Abuse
The PSNI have welcomed the sentencing of an 89-year-old Belfast man for a significant number of non-recent sexual abuse offences. At Laganside Crown Court, Paul Dunleavy was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment, to start in May 2026 at the conclusion of his current sentence.
28 November 2024
Lidl Northern Ireland Opens Two New Stores
Lidl Northern Ireland has announced the reopening of its Stewartstown Road store in West Belfast and the opening of a new store in Carryduff. The Stewartstown Road store, which has undergone a major redevelopment, will reopen on December 5th. The new Carryduff store, Lidl’s 43rd in Northern Ireland, will open on December 12th.