05/09/2025
Other News In Brief
UUP Does Not Support Councillor Strike Action
The Ulster Unionist Party's Councillors Association has stated that the party does not support any suggestion of strike action or work-to-rule. The move follows the Ministerial Review of the Roles and Responsibilities of Councillors in Northern Ireland.
Chairman of the association, Councillor David Taylor, said such action would not serve the interests of local government or the communities they represent. He added that the party's priority is to ensure constituents receive effective representation and that strike action would distract from those responsibilities.
Councillor Taylor said the Ulster Unionist Party does not believe industrial action is the way to address any issues arising from the review. He said that any action taking councillors away from their duties stands in clear contrast to the party's commitment to providing representation and service for those who elected them.
Man Wanted For Breaching Compassionate Bail
Police are appealing for information to help locate Raymond (Ray) Lee, a 32-year-old man who is wanted for breaching his compassionate bail release.
Mr Lee, who had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud and money laundering offences, failed to return to Maghaberry prison on Thursday, 19 June 2025.
A spokesperson for the PSNI appealed directly to Mr Lee to hand himself in. He also asked anyone who has seen him, or knows of his whereabouts, not to approach him directly but to contact police on 101, quoting reference 918 of 19/06/25. Information can also be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Mr Lee is described as being approximately 5 feet 11 inches tall, of slim build, with brown hair.
Health Waiting Times 'Outrageous' – Alliance MLA
Alliance Health spokesperson Nuala McAllister has expressed concern at Northern Ireland's consistently long waiting times, following the latest publication of quarterly statistics.
The figures for the Belfast, South Eastern, and Northern Trusts show that none of them met the Department of Health's targets for patient waits.
The North Belfast MLA said the statistics are "outrageous," confirming that some patients are waiting for up to almost six years for a first consultant-led outpatient appointment. She added that more than half of patients are waiting for over a year for inpatient or day case treatment.
Ms McAllister highlighted that more than a third of patients are also waiting for more than six months to access diagnostic services, calling this a "particularly concerning" time in people's lives. She has called on the Health Minister to "take a different approach to tackling waiting times," stating that it is clear "we cannot continue to accept the status quo."
The Ulster Unionist Party's Councillors Association has stated that the party does not support any suggestion of strike action or work-to-rule. The move follows the Ministerial Review of the Roles and Responsibilities of Councillors in Northern Ireland.
Chairman of the association, Councillor David Taylor, said such action would not serve the interests of local government or the communities they represent. He added that the party's priority is to ensure constituents receive effective representation and that strike action would distract from those responsibilities.
Councillor Taylor said the Ulster Unionist Party does not believe industrial action is the way to address any issues arising from the review. He said that any action taking councillors away from their duties stands in clear contrast to the party's commitment to providing representation and service for those who elected them.
Man Wanted For Breaching Compassionate Bail
Police are appealing for information to help locate Raymond (Ray) Lee, a 32-year-old man who is wanted for breaching his compassionate bail release.
Mr Lee, who had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud and money laundering offences, failed to return to Maghaberry prison on Thursday, 19 June 2025.
Mr Lee is described as being approximately 5 feet 11 inches tall, of slim build, with brown hair.
Health Waiting Times 'Outrageous' – Alliance MLA
Alliance Health spokesperson Nuala McAllister has expressed concern at Northern Ireland's consistently long waiting times, following the latest publication of quarterly statistics.
The figures for the Belfast, South Eastern, and Northern Trusts show that none of them met the Department of Health's targets for patient waits.
The North Belfast MLA said the statistics are "outrageous," confirming that some patients are waiting for up to almost six years for a first consultant-led outpatient appointment. She added that more than half of patients are waiting for over a year for inpatient or day case treatment.
Ms McAllister highlighted that more than a third of patients are also waiting for more than six months to access diagnostic services, calling this a "particularly concerning" time in people's lives. She has called on the Health Minister to "take a different approach to tackling waiting times," stating that it is clear "we cannot continue to accept the status quo."
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
22 July 2015
Call For Action Plan To Be Implemented To Deal With Hospital Waiting Lists
Sinn Féin is calling for an action plan to be implemented to deal with hospital waiting lists in Northern Ireland. Chair of the Assembly's health committee, MLA Maeve McLaughlin, said the rise in waiting times is "not acceptable" for patients.
Call For Action Plan To Be Implemented To Deal With Hospital Waiting Lists
Sinn Féin is calling for an action plan to be implemented to deal with hospital waiting lists in Northern Ireland. Chair of the Assembly's health committee, MLA Maeve McLaughlin, said the rise in waiting times is "not acceptable" for patients.
03 June 2025
New £10m Waiting List Reimbursement Scheme Now Live
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has welcomed the opening of the new Waiting List Reimbursement Scheme, a £10 million investment designed to address Northern Ireland's extensive hospital waiting lists. The scheme, which went live on June 2, 2025, offers eligible patients the opportunity to reclaim costs for treatments received outside Northern Ireland.
New £10m Waiting List Reimbursement Scheme Now Live
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has welcomed the opening of the new Waiting List Reimbursement Scheme, a £10 million investment designed to address Northern Ireland's extensive hospital waiting lists. The scheme, which went live on June 2, 2025, offers eligible patients the opportunity to reclaim costs for treatments received outside Northern Ireland.
02 September 2005
Outpatient hospital waiting list figures rise
The number of people waiting for a first outpatient appointment has increased in the last three months by almost 6%. The figures published by the Department of Health revealed that the number of patients waiting for an initial outpatient consultation had risen by 9,385 to 176,523, an increase of 5.6% on the previous quarter.
Outpatient hospital waiting list figures rise
The number of people waiting for a first outpatient appointment has increased in the last three months by almost 6%. The figures published by the Department of Health revealed that the number of patients waiting for an initial outpatient consultation had risen by 9,385 to 176,523, an increase of 5.6% on the previous quarter.
04 December 2003
Hospital inpatient waiting lists continue to fall
Hospital inpatient waiting lists are now at their lowest since March 2001 and have fallen by 10% over the past twelve months, it was revealed today.
Hospital inpatient waiting lists continue to fall
Hospital inpatient waiting lists are now at their lowest since March 2001 and have fallen by 10% over the past twelve months, it was revealed today.
02 April 2003
Rise in transplant waiting list sparks donor appeal
The latest figures from the office of the Transplant Co-ordinator in Belfast City Hospital have revealed that the number of people in the province awaiting organ transplants has risen. Some 240 people are currently waiting for major organ transplants such as heart, kidney, liver or lungs - an increase of almost 60 people on this time last year.
Rise in transplant waiting list sparks donor appeal
The latest figures from the office of the Transplant Co-ordinator in Belfast City Hospital have revealed that the number of people in the province awaiting organ transplants has risen. Some 240 people are currently waiting for major organ transplants such as heart, kidney, liver or lungs - an increase of almost 60 people on this time last year.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.