NEWS

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.

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

Pictured during a visit to the Hate Crime Advocacy Service (HCAS) Justice Minister Naomi Long with Chloe Barton, Rainbow Project; Anna Pustelnik, HCAS manager; Janice Bunting, CEO Victim Support NI; Dawn McCartney, Disability Action; Jolena Flett, Head of Advocacy and Project and Lucy Fitzgerald, Policy and Communications Manager. Referrals to Northern Ireland’s Hate Crime Advocacy Service (HCAS) have increased by more than a third in the past year, with Justice Minister Naom

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

Pictured with John Read, Housing Executive Good Relations Officer, Mid and East Antrim is Samantha Peden, Community Development Officer and participants of the Christmas coffee morning provided by Cullybackey Community Partnership. Also represented at the event was the board of directors, Cullybackey Men's Shed and members of Cullybackey community. All the catering equipment for the event was funded by the Housing Executive. A gift of coffee-making equipment from the Housing

Chief Superintendent Sam Donaldson, from the PSNI’s Operational Support Department Preliminary figures released by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) show that 129 people were arrested on suspicion of drink or drug driving during the first 15 days of December, prompting renewed warnings about the potentially fatal consequences of getting behind the wheel under the influence. The figures, covering the period 1–15 December, are provisional and subject to change. Howe

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

CEO of Women’s Aid ABCLN, Gillian Creevey welcomes the Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick and Director of Community Development, Ursula Fay to the Women’s Refuge to receive the pyjama appeal donations More than 400 pairs of pyjamas have been donated to this year’s Women’s Aid Christmas Pyjama Appeal, bringing warmth, comfort and a sense of normality to children and families affected by domestic abuse across the Antrim and Newtownabbey borough. The a

Belfast Zoo joins the Lord Mayor, Cllr Tracy Kelly, to spread festive joy Belfast Zoo has helped bring festive cheer to young patients at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, joining the Lord Mayor of Belfast on a special Christmas visit aimed at lifting spirits during the holiday season. The Zoo joined Lord Mayor Councillor Tracy Kelly on Monday (15th December) as part of her visit supporting local charity Little Heroes, which works closely with children and familie

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

Gallaher Trust’s Chairman, Ian Paisley is pictured with, Amber Kirkwood, who works in Crave café, Linda Gillen, who works at The Fern Restaurant and Logan Godfrey, who is employed by Wrightbus. More than 1,200 people across Ballymena are set to benefit from a major £500,000 funding commitment announced by The Gallaher Trust, aimed at creating jobs, developing skills and supporting disadvantaged adults over the next three years. The independent Ballymena-based charity has con

Inset: Councillor Alan Barr Braid Ulster Unionist Councillor Alan Barr has urged the public to remain vigilant to the signs of domestic abuse during the winter months, warning that heightened financial, emotional and social pressures can place victims at greater risk across Mid and East Antrim. Councillor Barr said “domestic violence is a serious crime. It devastates lives and families. It can be carried out by both men and women on their partners. Sadly, children can also

(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 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

Fionntán McGarvey As the countdown to Christmas begins, one Belfast family is urging people across Northern Ireland to talk openly about organ donation — a conversation they say helped them honour their teenage son’s final wishes and save the lives of others. On Organ Donation Discussion Day, Thursday 11 December, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging households to take a moment to consider their decision about organ and tissue donation and share that choice with love

The United Kingdom’s embrace of the digital realm has reached unprecedented heights, with 98 per cent of adults now online – a testament to seamless connectivity that has transformed everyday routines. Yet, as Ofcom’s comprehensive Online Nations 2025 report illustrates, this near-universal access is shadowed by widening disparities in app adoption and persistent digital exclusion. Drawing on surveys of more than 6,000 adults and detailed usage data from May 2025, the repor

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

Multi-agency preparations are underway across Northern Ireland ahead of Storm Bram, with a Met Office yellow warning in place for strong winds on Tuesday 9 December from 9am to 9pm. Forecasters warn that gusts of 50–60mph are expected widely, with the potential to exceed 70mph in the most exposed western areas. The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) has activated emergency response measures, as teams continue clearing road gullies, checking drainage systems and placing addit