26/01/2026
Sinn Féin Announces Panellists for 'New Ireland' Health Discussion
Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey has confirmed the speaker line-up for an upcoming public event in Belfast titled 'Building a World Class Health System in a New Ireland'.
The discussion, scheduled for Thursday 12 February, aims to examine the structure and benefits of a unified healthcare model across the island.
The panel features several prominent figures from the medical and social care sectors, including John Compton CBE, the former Chief Executive of the Health and Social Care Board, who brings over four decades of experience to the debate. He will be joined by Dr Tom Black, a well-known GP and former Chair of the BMA's GP Committee in Northern Ireland, and Paula Leonard, Chief Executive of Alcohol Forum Ireland and an expert in cross-border service delivery.
Deirdre Hargey MLA, who will chair the proceedings, will be joined by Sinn Féin's health spokesperson, David Cullinane TD, for a keynote contribution.
Speaking about the initiative, the South Belfast MLA stated: "I'm delighted to be chairing what promises to be an engaging and forward-looking conversation with a panel of respected voices from across the health service, offering first-hand insight into how our health system works."
Highlighting the current pressures on medical services, she added: "Both health systems on our island are under extreme strain and in crisis. An all-island health system in a new, united Ireland offers a real opportunity to reshape healthcare so it better meets the needs of patients."
The event is open to the public and will take place at 7:00pm in the Malone Lodge Hotel, Belfast. Ms Hargey concluded by inviting wide participation: "I would encourage people to come along and be part of an open, honest discussion about the future of healthcare in a reunified Ireland."
The discussion, scheduled for Thursday 12 February, aims to examine the structure and benefits of a unified healthcare model across the island.
The panel features several prominent figures from the medical and social care sectors, including John Compton CBE, the former Chief Executive of the Health and Social Care Board, who brings over four decades of experience to the debate. He will be joined by Dr Tom Black, a well-known GP and former Chair of the BMA's GP Committee in Northern Ireland, and Paula Leonard, Chief Executive of Alcohol Forum Ireland and an expert in cross-border service delivery.
Speaking about the initiative, the South Belfast MLA stated: "I'm delighted to be chairing what promises to be an engaging and forward-looking conversation with a panel of respected voices from across the health service, offering first-hand insight into how our health system works."
Highlighting the current pressures on medical services, she added: "Both health systems on our island are under extreme strain and in crisis. An all-island health system in a new, united Ireland offers a real opportunity to reshape healthcare so it better meets the needs of patients."
The event is open to the public and will take place at 7:00pm in the Malone Lodge Hotel, Belfast. Ms Hargey concluded by inviting wide participation: "I would encourage people to come along and be part of an open, honest discussion about the future of healthcare in a reunified Ireland."
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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.