NEWS

(L-R): Current Northern Trust staff member Alison Irwin from Portstewart, and former colleague Yvonne Carson from Cloughmills. Two colleagues from the Northern Health and Social Care Trust have been recognised in The King’s New Year’s Honours List, with one current staff member and one retired colleague awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for their outstanding contributions to health and social care. Yvonne Carson , a current member of staff, and former colleague Alison Ir

(L-R): Health Minister Mike Nesbitt; Sandra McAllister, Consultant Plastic Surgeon and Regional Multidisciplinary Team Lead for Sarcoma; Professor Mark Taylor. Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has welcomed leading figures from Northern Ireland’s sarcoma community to Stormont following their national recognition in Sarcoma UK’s 2025 Shining Star Awards, which celebrate excellence in care, advocacy and patient support across the UK. The meeting, held at Parliament Buildings, brough

(L-R) Jennifer Welsh, Chief Executive of Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Mrs Rachel Canning, Sister of Belfast City Hospital Day of Surgery, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt and Ms Katja Hartmann, Deputy Sister of Belfast City Hospital Day of Surgery. Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has praised staff at the Day of Surgery Unit at Belfast City Hospital following the unit’s receipt of an Elective Care Recognition Award, recognising excellence in innovation, improved practice and

CGI showing proposed extension at Robinson Hospital The Northern Health and Social Care Trust board has been given an update on the proposed refurbishment of the Robinson Hospital on Newal Road, Ballymoney. Robinson Hospital, which opened in 1933, provides care for patients requiring rehabilitation, palliative care or further assessment following an acute hospital admission. A report presented to Trust board members at a recent meeting said the project will deliver a new-buil

Chickenpox vaccination is to be added to Northern Ireland’s childhood immunisation programme from January, offering thousands of children protection each year against an illness that, while often considered mild, can lead to serious and even life-threatening complications. The Public Health Agency (PHA) confirmed the move will mark the first time children in Northern Ireland can receive free protection against chickenpox through the routine childhood vaccination schedule. Hea

Aerial view of the Causeway Hospital site in Coleraine Plans to extend the car park at Causeway Hospital have been submitted to Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council. The application, which was recently lodged via the council’s planning portal, seeks permission to extend the existing car parking area in a bid to alleviate ongoing parking pressures at the site. The proposals also include associated access and circulation works, new lighting, landscaping, and provision for f

L-R Suzanne Kennedy, Elizabeth Craig and Mandy Corr Members of the Causeway Hospital Partnership Board have praised the success of a community-based model of care that is delivering joined-up, neighbourhood services for people across the Causeway Coast and Glens area. At its latest meeting, the Board received an update on the work of the Causeway multidisciplinary team (MDT), a partnership initiative jointly run by the Northern Health and Social Care Trust and the Causeway GP

Health Minister and Ulster Unionist Party leader Mike Nesbitt Health Minister and Ulster Unionist Party leader Mike Nesbitt has described 2026 as a “highly consequential year” for Northern Ireland’s health and social care system, his party’s renewal, and the effectiveness of the Northern Ireland Executive. In his New Year message, Mr Nesbitt said the coming year would be critical in determining whether long-promised reforms in healthcare can finally be delivered, particularly

People across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to make use of the Health and Social Care (HSC) App Library this winter, with more than 1,000 endorsed health apps available to support physical and mental wellbeing. The appeal comes as winter places additional pressures on individuals, families and health services, with colder weather, shorter days and increased feelings of loneliness and stress affecting many people, particularly during the festive period. The HSC App Lib

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