NEWS

Wednesday 4 November 2026 Around half of all babies born in Northern Ireland in 2026 are being invited to take part in a landmark research study that will follow children into adulthood, helping shape the services and support available to future generations of families. Researchers at Ulster University have begun interviewing parents as part of Generation New Era, the first new UK birth cohort study in 25 years and the largest of its kind in a generation. Around 4,200 familie

Monday 02 November 2026 The Northern Trust is to receive £250,000 to strengthen local endometriosis services as part of a £1.95 million investment intended to improve access to diagnosis, treatment and support across Northern Ireland. The funding comes as women continue to face lengthy waits for gynaecology care, despite reductions reported by the Department of Health in outpatient waiting lists and waits for hospital treatment. Endometriosis is a chronic condition in which t

Sunday 01 November 2026 Fewer than half of Northern Ireland pupils who had experienced mental health worries sought help, a major survey of 11–16-year-olds has found. The findings show improvement since 2022, with fewer pupils reporting definite concerns or signs of loneliness. However, almost one-third were classified as having low mental wellbeing, with girls reporting greater difficulties than boys. The Department of Health’s Young Persons’ Behaviour and Attitudes Survey 2

Farmers’ Choir NI committee members celebrate the £19,600 funding Saturday 31 October 2026 Farmers’ Choir NI has been awarded £19,600 from The National Lottery Community Fund to strengthen friendships and bring farming and rural communities together through music and social activities. The funding will help the registered charity develop community networks, organise social events and support concerts, creating more opportunities for people across Northern Ireland to connect.

Saturday 31 October 2026 Recognising just one sign of a stroke and calling 999 immediately could save a life and reduce lasting disability, the Public Health Agency (PHA) has urged. Around 3,000 people are admitted to hospital in Northern Ireland each year as a result of a stroke, according to the agency. Its advice, issued to mark World Stroke Day on Thursday 29 October, highlights both how to reduce the risk and when to seek emergency help. Although most strokes occur in pe

Some of those who were involved with the Finding the Words project, left-right, Speech and Language Therapist within the Brain Injury Service, Stephanie Murray, Dr Liz Maybin, Brain Injury Service Manager, Ann (service user), Jacqueline Pogue, Sarah (service user), Dr Shelley Tracey, Geoff & Brenda (service users), Martin (service user) and Conor Shields, Chief Executive of the Community Arts Partnership. Saturday 31 October 2026 People living with brain injury have turned

Saturday 31 October 2026 Police will no longer attend some calls about a person’s welfare from Sunday 1 November, with callers directed to other agencies where their concerns do not meet the threshold for a police response. The change is the next phase of Right Care, Right Person, a programme intended to ensure people with health, mental health, social care or safeguarding needs receive help from the service best placed to support them. PSNI receives more than 35,000 concern-

Wednesday 28 October 2026 Patients across Ballymena and the wider Northern Trust area could receive more treatment at home and avoid unnecessary hospital admissions this winter, as health authorities prepare for another challenging period for emergency departments, hospital beds and community services. New winter surge plans published across Northern Ireland set out measures to improve patient care, reduce ambulance handover delays and help medically fit patients leave hospit

Pictured (L–R): Kelly Kerr (NHSCT), Gillian Steele (NHSCT), Stephen McCartney (NRC) and Christopher Hillcox (EA). Wednesday 28 October 2026 Parents and carers of autistic people gathered at Northern Regional College’s Ballymena campus for a conference aimed at making it easier for families to access support, plan for the future and look after their own wellbeing. Held on Friday 23 October, the Supporting Autism Together conference brought education, healthcare and support pro

Tuesday 27 October 2026 Northern Ireland households have an average of just £137 a week remaining after taxes and essential bills, the lowest spending power anywhere in the UK, as rising fuel costs place renewed pressure on family finances. New figures from Asda’s October 2026 Income Tracker reveal that liquid fuel prices have increased by 104.9% in the year to September, adding to the financial pressures facing households heavily dependent on oil heating. Despite rising inco

Debbie Chestnut of Good Morning Ballymena receives the Social Enterprise of the Year Award from James Perry MBE of the Ballymena Business Centre. Tuesday 27 October 2026 A Ballymena organisation helping older people overcome loneliness and isolation has been recognised for its contribution to the local community, winning the Best Social Enterprise Award at the 2026 Ballymena Business Awards. Good Morning Ballymena received the award, sponsored by Ballymena Business Centre, at

Willie Gregg presents a cheque to Stephen Watson from the NI Children's Kidney Fund. The presentation coincided with the seventh anniversary of Stephen's kidney transplant. Tuesday 27 October 2026 Three Northern Ireland charities supporting children with serious illnesses, families facing difficult circumstances and people experiencing mental health challenges have benefited from the generosity of those who supported Wee Joan’s Dog Walk. Willie Gregg presented cheques to repr

Seven Towers Leisure Centre, Ballymena Monday 26 October 2026 Leisure centres in Ballymena, Larne and Carrickfergus could open from 6am until 10pm on weekdays under plans approved by a Mid and East Antrim Borough Council committee to introduce longer, standardised opening hours across all three facilities. The proposals, which would affect Seven Towers Leisure Centre in Ballymena, Larne Leisure Centre and the Amphitheatre in Carrickfergus, are expected to come into operation

Pictured from left are Darren Stirling, Ryan McKenzie, Jonathan Pankhurst, Kyle Rae and Paul Stirling at the launch of Whataboutye M.A.T.Es’ free Mental Health Toolbox app, developed to help men across Northern Ireland look after their mental wellbeing and find support before reaching crisis point. Sunday 25 October 2026 A free mental health app created by a Northern Ireland men's support group has been launched to help men recognise when they are struggling, manage their wel

Sunday 25 October 2026 Almost nine in ten farmers responding to an Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) survey say inheritance tax changes have increased stress or worry within their families, raising concerns about the emotional and financial pressures facing Northern Ireland’s farming community. The findings reveal that 88.6% of respondents reported increased family stress or worry, with 60.3% describing the increase as significant. The UFU says the uncertainty is forcing farming fa

Sunday 25 October 2026 Households across Northern Ireland are being urged to stay alert to bogus callers as darker evenings approach, with NI Water reminding residents never to allow anyone into their home without first checking their identity. The utility company has issued fresh advice on how to recognise genuine employees, safely check identification and use a police verification service if someone arrives unexpectedly claiming to be from NI Water, Water Service or the Wat

Saturday 24 October 2026 The Northern Health and Social Care Trust is preparing for two days of industrial action by hospital doctors next month, amid an ongoing dispute over pay and concerns about the potential impact on patients. Speaking at a meeting of the Trust board at Antrim Area Hospital on Thursday, interim chief executive Suzanne Pullins advised members that the British Medical Association (BMA) had notified the Trust of planned industrial action on 20 and 23 Novemb

My Care app users, Roy and Gloria Lowry. Friday 23 October 2026 The Northern Health and Social Care Trust has become the first health trust in Northern Ireland to reach 100,000 registrations for the My Care app, marking a significant milestone in patients’ access to digital healthcare services. The achievement means around one in four people living in the Northern Trust area can now access key information from their digital medical records through the app. My Care provides pa

Antrim Area Hospital Emergency Department Thursday 22 October 2026 Almost 2,500 patients spent more than 12 hours in the emergency departments at Antrim Area and Causeway hospitals during September, as new figures reveal worsening waiting times at both Northern Trust hospitals. The latest Department of Health statistics, published today (Thursday 22 October), show that 2,499 attendances exceeded the 12-hour threshold across the two hospitals, an increase of 351 (16.3%) compar

Thursday 22 October 2026 Households across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to prepare for up to three days of disruption to essential services, as the UK Government launches a new campaign to help families cope with emergencies including severe storms and power cuts. The advice focuses on simple, affordable steps people can take before an emergency, including keeping bottled water and non-perishable food at home, and ensuring vulnerable household members are registered