Other News In Brief

Man Released Over Dissident Republican Activity

A man arrested in connection with dissident republican activity has been released pending a report to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS).

The 49-year-old was detained by the PSNI in Strabane on Wednesday, 02 August.

He was taken to Belfast to be questioned.

He has since been released.

SDLP Hits Out Over Cuts To Supporting People Programme

The SDLP has hit out after it was revealed there will be cuts to the Supporting People programme, which provides housing services to over 20,000 people.

North Belfast MLA Nichola Mallon said the cuts will have a "severe financial and human cost in the long term".

She said: "It is yet another example of where the most vulnerable are being left to pay the price of political brinkmanship and failure.

"I have written to the Chief Executive of the Housing Executive expressing my grave concern at this course of action and requesting immediate reconsideration and reinstatement of this funding. We cannot allow some of the most vulnerable people in our society to bear the brunt of this.

"This all underscores the critical need to restore power sharing and take decisions in the interests of the people we represent."

Call For Investment In Victorian Holywell Hospital

Ulster Unionist Health Spokesperson, Roy Beggs MLA, has written to the Permanent Secretary of the Health Department urging investment in the Victorian Holywell Hospital in Antrim. The facility currently provides a range of acute and other in-patient mental health services.

Mr Beggs said: "Holywell Hospital was opened in 1898 to cover the County Antrim area and it was one of the last large mental health premises built by the Victorians.

"I was recently contacted by a constituent whose relative had been unable to be admitted to Holywell Hospital due to a lack of beds, and who was temporarily placed at the Bluestone Unit in Craigavon. I was advised of the stark difference between the two facilities and of the need for investment to replace the Victorian built Holywell hospital facility to improve mental health inpatient facilities and outcomes.

"I recently visited staff and patients at Holywell Hospital's dedicated dementia assessment unit located within the hospital's Victorian Building. My constituent had also highlighted the need for improved personal space at the Tobernaveen facilities to aid recovery.

"During my visit the staff acknowledged that there was a need for improved personal space, common rooms and treatment facilities to assist in the recovery from poor mental health. Better designed facilities also lessen the likelihood of a patients' exposure to stressful traumatic events involving others.

"The RQIA, whilst acknowledging the good practice and care at the site, have also written to the Department of Health expressing their concerns regarding parts of Holywell Hospital's dated design which are not fit for purpose as set out in modern standards."

(CD/LM)