Other News In Brief

Any Restored Executive Must Prioritise Waiting Lists – SDLP

The SDLP has called for any restored Executive and Assembly to prioritise addressing long waiting lists for health treatments.

The party's Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath made the call following the publication of the latest waiting times by the Department of Health.

South Down MLA Mr McGrath said: "Despite small progress in some areas, the average waiting times patients in the North face for important medical treatment is shocking and a damning indictment of the failure to properly tackle the issues that exist within our health system. I know that efforts are underway to tackle these problems, but without an Executive and Assembly in place it's hard to see how we can make serious progress in the near future.

"Patients are currently waiting years for appointments and key targets to ensure people are seen in a timely manner are routinely being missed. Our health staff are doing their best in the most difficult of situations, but patients are being left languishing on waiting lists, with their conditions often getting worse in the interim, causing serious anguish for them and their families.

"We have heard much talk about restoring the Stormont institutions in recent days and the potential for further funding. Key to these plans must be properly resourcing our strategy for health service transformation and reversing the cuts imposed by the Tory's austerity budget. We need politicians to get back to work so that we can finally do what's necessary to save our health service and cut these waiting lists."

Mivan Shortlisted For Prestigious Workplace Wellbeing Award

Mivan, a Northern Irish construction and fitout firm, has been nominated for presitigious prize at the Irish News Workplace and Employment Awards 2023.

The company is shortlisted in the 'Best Wellbeing in the Workplace Strategy' category.

The Irish News Workplace & Employment Awards celebrate companies and organisations focused on their people by recognising excellence in the workplace. This year marks 15 years of the awards which continue to evolve into one of the country's most prestigious business initiatives.

The 2023 winners will be announced at a ceremony in Titanic Belfast on 08 June 2023.

Karen Anderson, HR Manager at Mivan, commented: "Each year the committee plan a strategy, implement it and we can all see the benefits in everyone – the best thing is everyone can see it themselves. This shortlisting is a fine endorsement of the work done to date and further plans, as the award recognises businesses with healthy and happy staff."

DUP Meet With Firstsource Following Redundancy Consultation Announcement

The DUP has expressed their concern following the news that Firstsource in L'Derry has started a redundancy consultation process.

Foyle MLA Gary Middleton has met with Firstsource management following the announcement.

He said: "I received communication this morning that Firstsource in Londonderry had started a redundancy consultation process today. This has created uncertainty and worry amongst staff. This afternoon I met with senior management of Firstsource to receive further information and clarity.

"Due to a decision taken by Sky, 200 employees at the Springtown site, 100 employees in Belfast and 200 homeworkers are affected and undergoing the redundancy consultation process.

"I have been informed that the consultation process will last 3 months and that the priority will be to look at options to safeguard the jobs, support employees and source additional contracts.

"I have stressed to Firstsource management that the consultation process must be fair and transparent and as an elected representative I need to fully understand the impact that this will have on my constituents.

"The additional 370 employees at the Springtown site remain unaffected. I will continue to keep in contact with Firstsource over the coming days and weeks."