NEWS

Co Antrim woman Jackie Dawson (left), a patient who uses the unit at Antrim Area Hospital each week, pictured with Damien McLaughlin, nurse in charge, and Leanne Dawson. Sunday 27 September 2026 The renal unit at Antrim Area Hospital is delivering around 1,450 dialysis sessions every month, with health chiefs highlighting the significant pressures facing one of Northern Ireland’s busiest units. Members of the Northern Health and Social Care Trust board heard about the demands

Health Minister Robbie Butler Speaking at today’s Ulster Unionist Party conference Saturday 26 September 2026 Health Minister Robbie Butler has signalled that an expansion of Northern Ireland’s life-saving thrombectomy service is moving closer, telling the Ulster Unionist Party conference that the case for providing the specialist stroke treatment 24 hours a day, seven days a week “has been made”. Mr Butler, who took over the Department of Health just over five weeks ago, als

Dr Janet Gray MBE is a world class athlete and four-time winner of the World Disabled Water Ski Championships Saturday 26 September 2026 The chair of the Northern Health and Social Care Trust’s Organ Donation Committee has highlighted the need for more cornea donors to come forward. Dr Janet Gray MBE raised the issue at a meeting of the Northern Trust board at Antrim Area Hospital on Thursday, saying cornea donations remain “very low”. ‘Wonderful gift of sight’ Dr Gray, who i

Friday 25 September 2026 People facing lengthy waits for healthcare in Northern Ireland are set to receive more free community-based support after a £500,000 funding scheme was extended for another year. The Support While Waiting Grant Scheme will fund charities to provide practical assistance, emotional and mental health support, and help patients manage existing conditions while they remain on Health and Social Care waiting lists. £5,000 to £30,000 grants available Health M

Friday 25 September 2026 A major new study involving Emergency Departments in Northern Ireland has found that the risk of death was higher as overcrowding worsened — against a backdrop where the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) says 12-hour waits here have increased 43-fold since 2015 while attendances rose by just 6%. Researchers found that for every 10% increase in Emergency Department occupancy, the risk of death from any cause within 28 days was 1% higher. The r

Farmers’ Choir NI Committee Members attending NI Farming Awards at the Culloden Hotel More than 40 members of Farmers’ Choir NI are back rehearsing in Ballymena for a new season — and they already have plenty to sing about after earning recognition at both Northern Ireland and UK level. The cross-community choir, which brings together farmers, people working in agriculture and members of rural communities, has reached the final of the Making Music UK Group of the Year Award 2

Justice Minister Naomi Long is pictured with Kelly Andrews, Belfast and Lisburn Women’s Aid, Michelle Martin, AssistNI, and Rhonda Lusty – Men’s Advisory Project, at an event to mark five years of ASSIST NI, recognising the important role of advocacy in supporting victims of domestic and sexual abuse across Northern Ireland. Thursday 24 September 2026 Victims of domestic and sexual abuse across Northern Ireland are being helped to navigate the criminal justice system with de

McDonald’s Ballymena where McHappy Day will be celebrated this upcoming weekend Wednesday 23 September 2026 Northern Ireland has emerged as one of the UK’s most generous regions in a new survey released ahead of the first McHappy Day in the UK and Ireland this weekend. McDonald’s commissioned the research before the fundraising day on Saturday 26 September, when £1 from every qualifying main meal sold will be donated to Ronald McDonald House UK and Ronald McDonald House Irela

Emmerdale stars, Lisa Riley (left) and Dominic Brunt (right) present Johnny and Corrina McAleese, Founders of Noah’s Story, with their Overcoming Adversity Award. Also pictured is Duvessa Cochrane (right) from category sponsor, A Aesthetics. Wednesday 23 September 2026 Johnny and Corrina McAleese, the north Antrim couple who turned the devastating loss of their young son into a mission to help other bereaved families, have been honoured at the Spirit of Northern Ireland Award

Some of the e-scooters seized by police in a targeted operation over the weekend Police are continuing action against the illegal and dangerous use of e-bikes and e-scooters after 65 were seized during a major weekend operation in Belfast. Police said machines were taken from both adults and children, with the youngest rider aged just six years old. Those involved now face a range of criminal justice outcomes. 65 e-bikes and e-scooters seized The three-day ‘Weekend of Action’

Monday 21 September 2026 McDonald’s customers in Ballymena will be able to help families with seriously ill children simply by ordering a qualifying meal this Saturday, as the restaurant chain brings McHappy Day to Northern Ireland for the first time. The fundraising day takes place on Saturday 26 September, with £1 from every qualifying main menu meal sold at participating restaurants donated to Ronald McDonald House charities. Money raised will help provide free accommodati

L-R: Jenny Marshall, Executive Director for Community Programmes, William McCaughey, Vice Chair of Agewell, Cora McQuillian, Dots Sales & Marketing Officer, Nigel McKeown, Dots Gardening Home & Life Assistant A new gardening and outdoor maintenance service has launched in Ballymena, offering practical help to older people and other local residents who may struggle to keep on top of their gardens. The service has been introduced by Dots, the social enterprise operated by Agewe

Carly Heggarty, Equality and Wellbeing Manager at Northern Regional College and Shannon Murphy Education Support Co-Ordinator pictured with the Autism NI Award Monday 21 September 2026 Northern Regional College has achieved Autism NI’s Impact Award for Education after introducing practical measures designed to make college life more accessible and supportive for autistic and neurodivergent students. The recognition follows tailored Autism NI training for staff and the develop

Sunday 20 September 2026 More than £148,000 has been awarded to eight projects working across Mid and East Antrim to help prevent violence against women and girls, with initiatives involving young people, families, schools, sport and community organisations. The latest round of the Local Change Fund will support grassroots work aimed at challenging harmful attitudes and behaviours, promoting healthy relationships and addressing some of the root causes of gender-based violence

Wednesday 16 September 2026 Northern Ireland has just 154 registered dental hygienists — around half the number per head of population recorded in England — as North Antrim MP Jim Allister calls for urgent action to expand training and make greater use of hygienists within Health Service dentistry. The TUV leader has challenged Health Minister Robbie Butler after being contacted by dental professionals concerned that there is no dental hygiene training course available in Nor

Anne Irwin, Regional President; Mary Waide, National Vice President; and Anne McLarnon, Regional Vice President; are pictured at the launch of a volunteer recruitment campaign which aims to encourage people from across the Region to join the Society and make a difference in their local communities. Friday 18 September 2026 People across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to give some of their time to supporting people and families experiencing poverty and social exclusion,

(L-R) Caroline McKenna, Foodies Spokesperson, Eimear O'Sullivan, Corporate Affairs Director Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland Primary schools across County Antrim can now register for a new free food education programme aimed at helping young children build healthy eating habits and become more confident about fruit and vegetables. Lidl Foodies is open to schools across Northern Ireland and provides teachers of children aged four to seven with ready-made lesson plans, activit

Hannah Buchanan, Haematology Clinical Nurse Specialist Blood cancer can affect people of all ages and its symptoms can sometimes be mistaken for other illnesses, prompting the Northern Health and Social Care Trust to urge people to know the warning signs and seek medical advice if something does not feel right. September marks Blood Cancer Awareness Month, with health professionals using the campaign to highlight symptoms including unusual bruising or bleeding, extreme tire

Together for Families launch at St Comgall's Belfast. L-R: Paul Sweeney, Northern Ireland Chair, The National Lottery Community Fund; Naomi Long MLA Minister of Justice; Kate Beggs, Northern Ireland Director, The National Lottery Community Fund; Robbie Butler MLA Minister of Health; Jacinta Linden, Together for Families Co-Director; Eilis McDaniel, Director of Social Care Reform, Department of Health; Dame Julia Cleverdon, Chair of The National Lottery Community Fund, Emma Li

Wednesday 16 September 2026 A Northern Ireland council has “strongly disagreed” with the proposed timetable for tougher air pollution limits, while councillors have raised concerns that additional costs could ultimately fall on ratepayers. Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council’s Environment and Sustainability Committee has considered its response to a Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) consultation on plans to tighten legal limits for harmful part