NEWS

Smokers across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to make quitting smoking their New Year’s resolution, as the Public Health Agency (PHA) highlights a wide range of free stop smoking support services available to help people quit for good. The PHA is urging those who smoke to take advantage of the fresh start offered by the beginning of a new year, describing quitting smoking as one of the most positive steps people can take to improve their health and protect those around

Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Councillor Frances Burton (DUP) , has revealed she is having sleepless nights over the plight of three elderly residents she knows well who are in desperate need of home care. The Clogher Valley DEA representative made the comments at the Development Committee meeting of Mid Ulster District Council on December 3, where she argued that recent grant funding from the Department for Communities (DfC) should, at least in part, be used to train

Staff, community partners, service users and family members pictured at a celebration event marking 20 years of Day Opportunities in the Northern Trust. The Northern Health and Social Care Trust’s Adult Community Learning Disability Team (ACLDT) is marking two decades of shared progress, partnership and positive change through its Day Opportunities service — a milestone that reflects how support for adults with learning disabilities has evolved to place choice, independence a

Some of the Farm Families Health Checks Team at Balmoral Show earlier this year. Farm Families Health Checks will return to livestock marts across Northern Ireland this January, continuing its mission to bring vital healthcare directly to farming families following a year of significant impact and national recognition. As 2025 draws to a close, the team has highlighted its continued commitment to improving health and wellbeing across rural and farming communities. The award-w

Pictured at the recent launch of the Prescribe A Mile initiative in Coleraine, including service users, James Cannie, Consultant Respiratory Physician at Causeway Hospital and Darren French, Interim Head of Service Cardiac at Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke. A new health and wellbeing initiative designed to help people become more active is now under way in Coleraine, encouraging residents and patients alike to take small, manageable steps towards a healthier lifestyle.

Mayor of Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council, Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick with representatives from Antrim & Newtownabbey Council Labour Market Partnership. A new employment-focused Medical Administration Training Academy is set to launch in Antrim and Newtownabbey in January 2026, offering local residents a direct pathway into administrative roles within GP practices. Following the success of two earlier academies delivered in other council areas, the Northern GP Federatio

Cahal Bradley, a charge nurse based at Antrim Area Hospital As families across Northern Ireland prepare to gather for Christmas and New Year, a frontline nurse at Antrim Area Hospital has appealed to the public to take simple but meaningful steps to protect loved ones, vulnerable patients and overstretched health services. Cahal Bradley, a charge nurse based at Antrim Area Hospital , said small acts of consideration — such as staying at home when unwell and planning ahead — c

Sara Smyth, a clinical sister in Antrim Area Hospital Emergency Department Healthcare staff across the Northern Health and Social Care Trust (Northern Trust) are urging the public to treat frontline workers with respect and understanding, as new figures reveal a sharp rise in violence and aggression towards staff. With Emergency Departments becoming increasingly busy and wider health services under sustained pressure, the Trust says incidents of abuse are placing further stra

Health and care services remain available across Northern Ireland during the festive period to ensure residents can enjoy the holidays safely. As families across Northern Ireland gather for Christmas dinners, carol singing, and New Year’s celebrations, the Department of Health is reminding everyone to prioritise both physical and mental wellbeing. With the potential for winter bugs, minor accidents from icy paths or overenthusiastic festive games, and the emotional highs and

Yvonne Carson, Northern Trust, Rural Health and Wellbeing Manager, Valerie Cubitt, Eurospar, Cullybackey, Leona Rock, Community Staff Nurse, Cullybackey Medical Practice, Marion Orr, District Nursing Coach, Joanne Brown Kerr, Development Officer, Bann Maine West with volunteers Helen and  Samantha from Cullybackey Community Partnership. The Northern Health and Social Care Trust has joined forces with Bann Maine West Community Cluster to bring festive cheer to some of the most

Sir Cliff Richard and Dermot Murnaghan Sir Cliff Richard has revealed he has been treated for prostate cancer over the past year, speaking candidly about his diagnosis in a powerful call for a national screening programme for men. The 84-year-old music legend opened up during an exclusive interview on Good Morning Britain, where he spoke to journalist Dermot Murnaghan about his experience and the importance of early diagnosis. Sir Cliff said he was diagnosed while preparing f

(L-R): Mark Haynes, Consultant Urologist; Dr Raymond McKee, Divisional Medical Director; Sr Pamela Fitzpatrick. Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has highlighted the growing role of Daisy Hill Hospital in helping reduce waiting lists across Northern Ireland, describing the site as an important contributor to the wider transformation of elective care delivery. During a visit to the hospital’s theatres, Elective Overnight Stay Centre (EOSC) and paediatric elective ward, the Minister

Pictured at the Northern Trust Recovery College 10-year-anniversary event are Jacqui Armstrong, Transformation Lead for Intermediate Care and Integrated Discharge, Petra Corr, Director of Mental Health, Learning Disability and Psychological Services, Janice Gray, Service Manager, Joy Hammond, Head of Service, Mental Health & Recovery Services and Jen Hood, Interim Assistant Director. The Northern Trust Recovery College is marking a decade of supporting mental health and wellb

The Health Minister has urged the public to support timely discharge from hospital as part of wider efforts to protect Health and Social Care (HSC) services during the winter months, when seasonal illness places increased strain on already stretched services. During a visit to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt saw first-hand the level of pressure facing hospital staff as admissions rise over winter. The visit included the Belfast Trust’s Dis

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is calling on all eligible people to get their flu vaccine “without delay”, warning that cases and hospital admissions are rising sharply in Northern Ireland in the run-up to Christmas. Nearly 500,000 flu vaccines have already been administered this season, but the latest respiratory surveillance data shows a significant increase in flu activity across all monitored age groups and healthcare settings. Confirmed cases have climbed from 988 to 1

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt and Professor Mark Tayor with SET Urology Team  More than 70 men across Northern Ireland have now undergone pioneering robotic Aquablation surgery since May 2025, marking a significant milestone in the transformation of urology services and elective care reform. The South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust (SEHSCT) is leading the regional rollout, with the technology already reducing waiting lists, improving outcomes and offering faster, safer a

Midwife Shelley Sheppard and Sister Elaine O’Boyle from Antrim Area Hospital maternity team The Northern Trust has enhanced its maternity services to better support autistic women and neurodivergent families, becoming the first maternity team in Northern Ireland to receive an autism-friendly accreditation. The Trust’s maternity team has implemented a series of improvements designed to make pregnancy, birth and early parenting more accessible, calmer and more personalised for

Northern Trust’s Farm Families Health Check team The pioneering work of Northern Trust’s Farm Families Health Check team has been recognised at the 2025 NI Farming Awards, with the programme receiving the prestigious Farm Safety Affiliate Award. The accolade highlights the team’s commitment to bringing accessible healthcare directly into the heart of rural communities, and its efforts to raise awareness of how personal health is closely linked to farm safety. For years, the F

Pictured are Anne O’Reilly, Chairperson Northern Trust, Jackie Burns, Ethel Glasgow, Iris Burns and Suzanne Pullins Chief Executive Northern Trust Cookstown woman and former nurse Ethel Glasgow, aged 93, has been announced as the winner of the Northern Health and Social Care Trust’s 2025 Christmas card competition, after her hand-drawn festive design captured the hearts of judges. Mrs Glasgow, who attends Cookstown Day Centre, created a charming winter scene featuring a robin

Northern Ireland’s primary care system is “in crisis” and requires “urgent intervention” , according to a major new report from the Northern Ireland Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC). The Report on Access to General Practice in Northern Ireland outlines serious shortcomings in how patients access GP services and calls for radical reform of the system. The PAC report, based on evidence from health organisations, the Department of Health (DoH), and an unprecedented p