Other News In Brief

£500,000 Allocated To Carry Out Remedial Works In The North West

A total of £500,000 has been allocated by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) to carry out remedial works in the North West in areas affected by flooding.

The work will include redirecting watercourses back to the main river systems, erection of riparian fencing and buffer strips along the affected rivers, removing debris, management of overhanging trees and strengthening flood defences.

Denis McMahon, Permanent Secretary at DAERA, said: "This funding of £500,000 to enable Loughs Agency to carry out remedial works in the Glenelly and Owenkillew Valleys will also support the farming community impacted by the flooding.

"The benefits arising from these remedial works will contribute to the ecology and water quality of the watercourses affected, and will also assist farmers affected by the flooding, including through fencing for stock control, reduction of unwanted sediment deposition, and prevention of further bankside erosion and resultant loss of grazing."

Sharon McMahon, Designated Officer at Loughs Agency, said: "The overall aim of this project is to repair and maintain the affected rivers mainly for fishery management purposes but it will also provide a positive effect on the economic, social and environmental area of the Foyle catchment. These works will stabilise river banks and reduce erosion and downstream deposition, ensuring that spawning and invertebrate habitats are safeguarded for the future."

Council Awards Freedom Of The Borough To Health & Social Care Staff

Ards and North Down Borough Council has awarded the Freedom of the Borough to Health and Social Care staff across the Borough, after an Alliance Party proposal received cross-party support.

Brought forward by Alliance Councillor Lorna McAlpine, the issue was agreed at Wednesday night's Council meeting.

Councillor Lorna McAlpine said: "Over the past 70 years the NHS has provided care and support for the sick, the vulnerable, older people and those in need across our society including through the darkest days of the Troubles. As pressures grow on an already stretched organisation, I hope all parties will be able to back this motion recognising the worthwhile contribution of all involved with the NHS."

UUP Hits Out Over Cancer Waiting Times

Ulster Unionist Health Spokesperson, Roy Beggs MLA, has said the latest publication of cancer waiting times, which confirmed a further pronounced deterioration in treatment times, illustrates the human tragedy that is gripping the local health service.

He said: "Cancer is a disease that thrives in a vacuum, so the sooner it is detected and treatment can begin, the better the chance a patient has of a successful outcome.

"It is deeply disheartening therefore to learn that the latest cancer waiting times have suffered a further major deterioration.

"Compared to twelve months ago, the two key targets which cancer services are measured against have both worsened. It is outrageous that in December only 66.4% of patients started treatment for cancer within 62 days following an urgent referral - a further fall of over 2% on the year before, and despite the target being 95%. This is shocking and completely unacceptable.

"The situation is especially bad in relation to breast cancer services in parts of Northern Ireland. The supposedly rigid government-set target is that every single urgent breast cancer referral should be seen within 14 days. In spite of this, across the Southern Trust area which covers the area around Dungannon, Craigavon and Newry, the average across the last three months in 2017 was shockingly less than 37%."

(CD)