
The Department of Health has lifted restrictions that were placed on the work of the RQIA because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The RQIA – Northern Ireland’s health and social care regulator – was directed by the Department in March to reduce the frequency of its statutory inspection activity and cease its non-statutory inspection activity and […]
Jun 23 2020 | Posted in
Coronavirus |
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Slieve Gullion area Sinn Féin Councillor Aoife Finnegan has said that she is hopeful Newry, Mourne & Down Council will follow the example of Belfast City Council by introducing a temporary application process for Pavement Café Licences. Embed from Getty Images Speaking to Newry Times, the Councillor commented, “The announcement by Belfast City Council […]

Translink has launched a nine-part film series documenting the real experiences of its staff who have been working hard to keep the country moving as lockdown eases and recovery progresses. The series features Newry bus driver Bronagh McDonnell who has adapted to a new way of working while continuing to deliver services for those who […]

SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA has written to the Health Minister to ask for “a broad representation of health professions” on the Department’s Management Board, which will oversee the rebuilding of HSC services. The South Down MLA said, “I was concerned to learn that the representative of Allied Health Professionals, the third-largest professional grouping […]
Jun 23 2020 | Posted in
Coronavirus |
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Firefighters have attended nearly 500 more incidents during the COVID-19 pandemic than they did during the same period in 2019. Statistics released by NIFRS show that Firefighters responded to 6,294 incidents in March, April and May 2020, compared to 5,837 incidents in the same period in 2019. At one point during lockdown Firefighters […]
Jun 22 2020 | Posted in
Coronavirus |
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Parking enforcement teams will be back on the streets from Monday 22 June, says Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon. Warning notices will begin to be issued from Monday 22 June to give people time to prepare and make motorists aware. In the first instance, for seven days, enforcement officials will be issuing warnings and […]
Jun 21 2020 | Posted in
Coronavirus |
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Identifying the impact isolation can have on those experiencing homelessness, Simon Community has introduced new initiatives over the past month to keep clients entertained and in contact with friends and family during the lockdown. One successful initiative taking place across 21 temporary accommodation projects is the introduction of isolation and resilience packs – made possible […]

A major step towards the full re-establishment of dental services in NI has been announced. From 29 June, all dental practices will offer non-urgent dental care treatments that are non-aerosol generating. That will increase the dental patients being seen from the current level of around 2,200 patients to an estimated 38,000 per week. […]
Jun 19 2020 | Posted in
Coronavirus |
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The Department of Health has published the current Covid-19 reproduction number (R). The current estimate of R is 0.6 – 0.9, enabling the Executive decision this week to ease some further restrictions. As of 16 June, the seven-day rolling average of new cases is 8. Article continues below: It is important to model […]
Jun 19 2020 | Posted in
Coronavirus |
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Health Minister Robin Swann has announced plans to pause the shielding advice that was issued to people ahead of the Covid-19 peak in Northern Ireland. Embed from Getty Images From 31 July, subject to the rate of community transmission continuing to be low, people will no longer need to shield and should instead follow […]
Jun 19 2020 | Posted in
Coronavirus |
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