NEWS

Cancer services in Northern Ireland remained under intense strain at the end of 2025, with the latest Department of Health figures showing that almost all key waiting time targets continued to be missed despite an increase in the number of patients beginning treatment and a sharp rise in breast cancer assessments. The newly published Accredited Official Statistics cover the quarter ending December 2025 and set out waiting times for patients accessing cancer services at hospit

The Police Service of Northern Ireland has issued a strong public safety appeal ahead of what is expected to be a busy Easter weekend on the North Coast, with large visitor numbers set to descend on Portrush and Portstewart. Police say officers will be deployed across key locations including transport hubs, beaches, hospitality venues and residential areas as part of a major effort to keep residents and visitors safe during one of the busiest holiday weekends of the year. Cau

(Photo Credit: Nathan Williams) Lifeguards will return to the sands of the North Coast this Good Friday, marking a significant double milestone for the RNLI as the charity enters a new season of coastal protection. From 3 April to 12 April , six of the region’s most popular beaches will be patrolled daily between 10am and 6pm . The seasonal rollout coincides with the 25th anniversary of the RNLI’s lifeguarding service across the UK, and a special 15-year anniversary for the s

Antrim Area Hospital Emergency Department Emergency departments across the Northern Health and Social Care Trust remain under significant pressure, interim chief executive Suzanne Pullins told a board meeting last week. Ms Pullins said the Trust’s emergency departments “remain under pressure from the number of people coming through the system”. The Northern Trust has reported a 12 per cent increase in emergency department (ED) attendances by patients aged over 75 at Causeway

It was a packed hall with 1000 guests attending EA’s Music Spring Gala hosted in partnership with Ulster University in the Diamond Hall at its Coleraine Campus. More than 500 young musicians from across north Antrim and mid Ulster have taken to the stage in a powerful celebration of music, community, and collaboration — marking a major milestone for youth music in the region. The EA Music Spring Gala 2026, held on Thursday 26 March at Ulster University’s Coleraine campus, bro

Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has today published the Northern Ireland’s first Aviation Policy for consultation. Pictured (L-R) are Katy Best, Chief Commercial Officer, Belfast City Airport, Dan Owens, CEO, Belfast International, Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald and Steve Frazer, Managing Director, City of Derry Airport. A major new aviation policy designed to strengthen Northern Ireland’s global connections and drive economic growth has been launched — with ambi

An action plan is set to be implemented by the Northern Health and Social Care Trust at Whiteabbey Hospital by the end of next month in a bid to improve theatre efficiency. Trust board members were presented with a report on theatre performance at the end of February, which showed that performance in the Trust’s “peripheral” hospitals — Whiteabbey and Mid Ulster — is below target in terms of both operating and run times. Operating times refer to the time spent on each patient

Antrim Area Hospital Emergency Department (ED) Body-worn cameras will now become a permanent feature in the Emergency Department at Antrim Area Hospital, following what health officials have described as a “meaningful and constructive” pilot scheme. The decision, approved today (Thursday, March 26) by the Board of the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, also paves the way for the technology to be introduced at Causeway Hospital’s Emergency Department in the near future.

The team at work at Magilligan Tree Nursery in Magilligan Prison A unique tree nursery based within prison grounds is offering locally grown trees at reduced prices — with every order helping to support prisoner rehabilitation and protect Northern Ireland’s native environment. The Magilligan Tree Nursery, operated in partnership with the Northern Ireland Prison Service, has launched two special offers aimed at households, community groups and businesses alike. Buyers can now

Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Oliver McMullan, with members, families and supporters of Causeway Down’s Syndrome Support Group (CDSSG) during a visit highlighting its music therapy programme. A visit that began as a routine engagement quickly became something far more personal, as the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens witnessed first-hand the life-changing impact of a local support group helping families across the Causeway and Ballymena areas. Councillor Oli

Murder victim: 28-year-old Amy Doherty. (Photo ptovided by Amy’s family) A 28-year-old woman who died after being found seriously injured in a house in Derry/Londonderry has been named by police as Amy Doherty, as detectives continue a murder investigation. Amy was discovered at a property in the Summer Meadows Mews area on the morning of Saturday, 21 March. Emergency services attended the scene, but despite efforts to save her, she died a short time later in hospital. Detect

Lisa Barclay and Alison Cook look on as Fiona O'Neill cuts the ribbon to mark the official opening of the new Sensory Room in Causeway Hospital with help from her daughter Gracie. A new sensory room has opened within Causeway Hospital’s Emergency Department, offering a calmer, more supportive environment for patients with additional needs — and marking a significant step forward in inclusive healthcare locally. Designed to provide relief from the noise, crowds and bright ligh

(L-R): Laurentiu Ghisoiu from the National Trust, Sheena Dickson from Tourism NI, Oliver McMullan, Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens and Mel McQuitty of Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust.   A spectacular stretch of Northern Ireland’s north coast has been chosen to host the region’s very first “Signature Walk” — a move designed to transform how visitors experience its most iconic landscapes. Launched by Tourism Northern Ireland in partnership with National Trust, Causewa

A murder investigation has been launched after a woman died following an incident at a property in Derry/Londonderry on Saturday morning. Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Major Investigation Team confirmed the woman was discovered injured at a house in the Summer Meadows Mews area of the city at around 10.20am on 21 March. She was taken to hospital by Northern Ireland Ambulance Service colleagues but later died from her injuries. Arrest made as enquiri

The Northern Health and Social Care Trust board has approved a business case for the purchase of nine new ultrasound scanners at a cost of almost £700,000. A report presented to the Trust board at its most recent meeting in January said: “This proposal aims to replace nine ultrasound scanners within radiology across the Trust. “The service covers a wide range of routine, planned, red flag and urgent examinations for both inpatients and outpatients, as well as unscheduled car

Ballycastle photographer Kevin McAuley A well-known Ballycastle photographer has spoken out in praise of local health services after a sudden and frightening medical episode led to his admission to Causeway Hospital earlier this week. Kevin McAuley , a familiar figure in Northern Ireland’s photography and media scene, was rushed to hospital after suffering a severe allergic reaction during a routine CT scan—an incident that quickly sparked concern across the community. Rumour

Inset: Cara Hunter MLA Households across Northern Ireland are feeling the strain of rising home heating oil prices, with one MLA warning that families are under increasing pressure and demanding urgent answers from government. East Londonderry SDLP MLA Cara Hunter has confirmed she has tabled a series of Assembly questions aimed at tackling what she describes as growing concerns over affordability, fairness and support for those most affected. Her intervention follows report

(L-R): Dr Darren Mornin Principal of Limavady High School, Cian Canning Head Boy, St Mary's High School Limavady, Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins, Harry Kealey, Head Boy, Limavady High School and Sean Mullan Principal of St Mary's High School. One of the biggest changes to driver licensing in Northern Ireland in almost 70 years is set to reshape how young people learn to drive — with new rules aimed at tackling the high number of serious road collisions involving new driv

A man has been arrested after a suspected deliberate house fire in Moneymore left one man injured and forced neighbouring residents from their homes. Emergency services were called to the incident in the Rockview Park area shortly before 2pm on Thursday, March 12, after reports that a property had caught fire while people were inside. Police say a man and a child were inside the house at the time the blaze broke out. The child escaped unharmed, while the man was taken to hosp

Pictured launching a new initiative aimed at stamping out smoking on hospital sites are Northern Trust Medical Director, Dr George Gardiner; Round Tower Integrated Primary School and Nursery Unit Principal, Mrs Monica Turner with pupils from P2 and P5 Local schoolchildren are being invited to lend their voices to a new campaign aimed at discouraging smoking outside hospital entrances — with the hope that hearing a child’s message could make smokers pause, reflect, and even co