NEWS

In an industry where long hours and solitary work are often the norm, a simple invitation to sit down, share a meal and talk can carry real weight. The Northern Health and Social Care Trust joined forces with the UFU Ballyclare Group to host a ‘Breakfast and a Blether’ event at the Five Corners Guest Inn in Ballyclare, bringing farm families together for a morning focused on connection, conversation and community. Also attended by local industry leaders, the event offered far

Hollybank staff members Darren Mitchell and Kellie Grant. Hollybank Supported Living in Magherafelt is recruiting additional Band 3 support workers, as the Northern Health and Social Care Trust encourages people to consider a career in social care supporting adults with learning disabilities. Recruitment open days will take place in March, with applications now open online. The Trust is seeking staff to work across supported living and short breaks services at Hollybank, offe

More than 70,000 people across the Northern Trust area have already downloaded the My Care app, with health officials now encouraging more patients to sign up to access key parts of their medical records online. The My Care patient portal allows patients to securely view specific information from their health records, including medications, appointments and some test results, using their smartphone or tablet. The app is available on both iOS and Android devices and is design

Professor Mark Taylor, Regional Clinical Director for Elective Care, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt, Lynn Tennant, Interim Assistant Director Surgical and Clinical Services, Lynne McCartney, Interim Director of Surgery and Clinical Services, and George Gardiner, Executive Director of Medicine. Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has praised Causeway Hospital for the “encouraging” progress being made to modernise services and improve how patient care is delivered, following a visit to

Emergency departments across Northern Ireland are under sustained pressure, with rising demand, sicker patients and long waits continuing to challenge the health service, new figures release today (Thursday 5 February 2026) from the Department of Health (DoH) show. The latest bulletin covers all new and unplanned attendances at emergency care departments (EDs) during October, November and December 2025. It provides a detailed picture of how long patients are waiting, how many

Joanne McCook in conversation with Northern Trust Clinical Nurse Specialist Yvonne McGraw. “Everyone should be cancer aware.” That is the clear message from Co Antrim woman Joanne McCook, who has shared her personal breast cancer journey ahead of World Cancer Day on Wednesday 4 February. Joanne, who lives in Ballybogey, was diagnosed with Grade 3 breast cancer in 2022 despite feeling well and having no warning signs. Now, through a partnership with the Northern Health and Soc

Staff members at Archway Community Mental Health Service pictured with the Health Minister, Mike Nesbitt. The Northern Health and Social Care Trust has strengthened its commitment to community-based mental health care with the opening of new bespoke facilities in Carrickfergus. The newly launched Archway Community Mental Health Service , located within the grounds of Carrickfergus Health Centre, provides assessment, diagnosis and treatment for individuals experiencing mental

Nurse Bernie Rogers A nurse with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust has said she would “absolutely do it all over again” as she marks an extraordinary 50 years of service to the nursing profession. Bernie Rogers, from Maghera , began her career in January 1976 at the School of Nursing in Mid Ulster Hospital. Five decades on, and despite officially retiring, she continues to play a valued role within Team North, supporting colleagues and patients alike. A special event

Antrim Area Hospital Emergency Department Five beds were placed adjacent to fire safety doors at Antrim Hospital as a “last resort” to ease pressure in the emergency department, the Northern Health and Social Care Trust board has been told. Speaking at a meeting of the Trust board at Antrim Hospital on Thursday (22 January), Gillian Traub, director of operations , said additional bed capacity had to be “created”. She explained that five in-patient spaces were identified, enab

Planning permission has been approved for the construction of a £3.5 million cancer support centre at Antrim Hospital, members of the Northern Health and Social Care Trust board have been told. Paddy Graffin, the Northern Trust’s Divisional Director of Infrastructure, informed members at a meeting held at Antrim Hospital on Thursday that permission has been granted by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council for the proposed new facility. The centre is being funded through a p

Organ Donation Specialist Nurse Jacqueline Heasley pictured with colleagues from Causeway Hospital’s Emergency Department, Niamh Mullan, Carmel Alexander (Deputy Clinical Sister) Caoimhe Larsen (Staff Nurse) and Kim Carson. The Northern Health and Social Care Trust is harnessing the power of storytelling to support children and families facing the loss of a loved one, with a new collection of bereavement books now available in hospital settings. A carefully selected range of

Northern Trust Health Visitor, Mary Donnelly, winner of the Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (SCPHN) Student Health Visitor Award, pictured with Alison Morton, Chief Executive of the Institute of Health Visiting. A newly qualified health visitor with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust has received national recognition after winning a prestigious UK-wide award from the Institute of Health Visiting (iHV). Mary Donnelly secured first place in the Specialist Commu

(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

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

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

Stephen Fillis with his younger brother Jonathan. For many families, navigating adulthood can be challenging. For those supporting a loved one with a learning disability, those challenges are often accompanied by uncertainty, concern and difficult questions about the future. A powerful personal account from Coleraine is now shining a light on how the right support can transform not just one life, but an entire family. Stephen Fillis has shared his family’s journey as part of

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.