Alex Easton
North Down · Independent · Northern Ireland
“I, too, want to raise the issue of Bright Sparks Preschool, which is a feeder preschool for Crawfordsburn Primary School. Last Wednesday, the Education Minister visited Bright Sparks to hear about its excellent work and see all the pupils in the preschool.”
“<BR /> <BR />My annoyance is that I have met the Education Authority with Bright Sparks many times over the past several years, and there has been a lack of effort by the Education Authority to find a solution for a building that it owns.”
“The map shown in the consultation included the entire Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area, which has nothing to do with the South Eastern Trust area. <BR /> <BR />We therefore know that the consultation and the equality impact assessment were a farce and a foregone conclusion.”
“<BR /> <BR />The South Eastern Trust proceeded to say what its plans were. Closure, with the announcement of a new minor injury unit at the Ulster Hospital site, was the only option.”
“How accurate my prediction was: the Bangor minor injury unit never reopened its doors. It was stripped of its equipment even before the consultation was finished.”
“I quote two Alliance councillors, who said that the units had not been "of any use". If they were of no use, why did 22,000 people use the two minor injury units at their height? <BR /> <BR />Over 20,000 people signed a public petition opposed to the closure of the units.”
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“Carers must be given the discretion to use individual budgets immediately for managing their family member's support needs in a way that gives flexibility, choice and control. Indications are that external services will not be restored to meet excess need for a very long time, although no information about that is being directly shared with family carers. Family carers must also be fully involved in all future long-term solutions. <BR /> <BR />The Minister has published the strategic framework for rebuilding health and social care services, which I welcome and support. As part of the rebuilding programme, trusts have also produced and published plans for scaling up services. Those plans are now essential.”
“A significant increase in funding will be needed to allow health and social care trusts to rebuild after the crisis as well as bringing forward plans for the long-term reform of adult social care. Identifying carers as a priority group requires emotional support services and the development of an agreed pathway for them to access interventions such as psychological talking therapies; work in partnership with third-sector organisations; and providing advocacy and other key support services to carers. Family carers need flexible funding made available to them urgently so that they can begin to plan alternative arrangements for care and support for the foreseeable future and get a break themselves.”
“For many carers, the outbreak will be an even lonelier and more isolating experience, as they are cut off from wider social support networks and relevant services. Access to regular respite is critical in allowing carers to take a break from their caring roles, recharge their batteries and look after their own health and well-being. <BR /> <BR />It must be recognised that, while COVID-19 has served to intensify the burden on local carers, the pressures on the services that support them long predate the outbreak. For instance, the widely acknowledged financial pressures facing adult social care have often meant a reduction in the services available to patients and the carers who support them.”
“It leaves carers with little or no time to recharge their batteries, spend time with friends and family or even to do the basic things that most take for granted, like getting a proper night's sleep or enjoying a meal. More than ever, in the context of COVID-19, access to respite and other support services provide a lifeline for carers of terminally ill people. <BR /> <BR />The reduction and closure of care and support services and the disruption to services from paid care workers will only have exacerbated these issues. Survey data shows that 44% of carers in Northern Ireland are providing more care than before the outbreak began because of the reduction or closure of support services.”
“<BR /> <BR />Sadly, some terminally ill people have died since the COVID-19 outbreak began. The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) has recorded 716 excess deaths in the year to 19 June. That means that there have been an estimated 3,580 more people affected by bereavement than at the same point in 2019, many of whom are likely to have been providing care to loved ones before they died. Before the outbreak began, capacity issues meant that demand for bereavement support was significantly outstripping supply. That pressure is only likely to have grown as a result of the increase in deaths and disruption in services due to social distancing and other lockdown measures. Providing care for a dying loved one can be an all-consuming role.”
“It is estimated that up to 310,000 people in Northern Ireland may be providing unpaid care to a family member or loved one. Over 30% of those — 98,000 — have become carers since the COVID-19 outbreak began. Many of those carers will be supporting loved ones who have an incurable health condition or are at the end of their life. Because of COVID-19, social services for adults and children with disabilities were withdrawn in late March due to lockdown without warning or consultation with family carers. Paid support staff, including day-care workers, were reallocated to other services or furloughed. Facilities for day care, respite and other services were shut down. Family carers stepped in 16 weeks ago to provide all support and care and have kept family members free from infection.”
“<BR /> <BR />Finally, I say thank you to everybody for supporting the motion. It has really made me very happy tonight to see that. Let us move forward together and improve the lives of our people.”
“She also talked about the help that bereavement support services need. <BR /> <BR />David Hilditch mentioned the impact of the lockdown on the community's mental health. He mentioned debt and said that one in four people with debt has mental health issues. He also spoke about the stress of financial insecurity and unemployment. <BR /> <BR />Gary Middleton said, and I agree, that the Minister has shown a commitment to tackling mental ill health. He said that mental ill health was already a serious issue before COVID-19 and that it affects so many different people, right across society. <BR /> <BR />Philip McGuigan said that the community has rallied round as a result of COVID-19. He said that he is disappointed at the lack of addiction services and by the fact that the issue was not really mentioned. Well done on that.”
“Yes. It is a one-off. You mentioned how important perinatal health is. You said that we need to tackle addictions and poverty. You spoke about tackling gambling. You said that you want us to target a zero suicide rate. That is very commendable, if we could do that. <BR /> <BR />The Member said that he wants real progress to be made on mental health and the action plan. He mentioned loneliness and isolation and said that we need to try harder. He thanked the health staff and those in the community and stated that we cannot do this without them. <BR /> <BR />Miss Hunter said that we need to plug the gaps in mental health and mentioned the support that voluntary groups need. She spoke about the rural community, which not many Members did, so well done on mentioning its need for support.”
“He also wants to see parity of funding between mental health services and physical health services. <BR /> <BR />Rachel Woods said that we do not speak about mental health enough — I hope that I did today — and that words are no longer enough. I agree: words are not enough any more. We have been here too many times before, so we need to do something about it. <BR /> <BR />Robbie Butler, I have to say that I was impressed with you the most tonight. I was impressed with everyone, but you were outstanding. I am never saying that to you again, but you were.”
“She mentioned the mental health action plan and said that there needs to be serious investment. I hope that is accurate. <BR /> <BR />I will deal with the contribution by Colm Gildernew, the Chair of the Health Committee, last. Sorry. <BR /> <BR />Órlaithí Flynn said that there was a challenge to improve mental health and well-being. She mentioned the substance abuse strategy, and thanked the Minister for supporting her on that. She wants the Minister to be the champion for mental health and is worried about the lack of funding for the mental health action plan. <BR /> <BR />Pat Sheehan commended the community and voluntary sector. He mentioned how affected disadvantaged areas have been throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. He said that he wanted to highlight the fact that there was a serious mental health crisis before COVID.”
“That is why I am delighted at the response of Members. <BR /> <BR />I will now address some of the Members' comments. I hope that I keep to time, as I work my way through them. I thank Pam Cameron for tabling the motion. She mentioned that mental health needs to be at the forefront of health, wanted to work with the Minister, and praised front-line health staff. <BR /> <BR />Gerry Carroll said that Stormont had failed to protect people's mental health and that there was a 26% underspend in mental health spending. That needs to be addressed. <BR /> <BR />Paula Bradshaw said that we should focus on those in lockdown and what they had been through. She mentioned the spike in sexual offences and praised the many organisations which had helped deal with it.”
“<BR /> <BR />It is vital that we provide advice through the mental health response plan. Support is important, such as online classes for stress control, apps to access libraries for reading, support for health staff, especially nurses and social care workers, and dealing with our past, which we, as an Assembly, have failed to do. <BR /> <BR />We must remember the independent sector, and those offering counselling services, to help us address mental health waiting lists. Their input and help is going to be crucial. Funding must be made a priority for them. We need them to be able to open, as a matter of urgency. <BR /> <BR />We do not have a happy population, and we have to ask ourselves why that is. Have we been part of the reason? What are we going to do to address it? Hopefully, this motion will go a long way to help.”
“That is why the Minister's launch of the strategic framework for rebuilding services will be so important. It is vital that mental health and well-being are at the centre of it. <BR /> <BR />The Minister for Health has announced some good things and good strategies, such as the process for a mental health champion. That role will be vital over this period, and will be needed to support the community and staff in the health and social care sector, who must not be forgotten. <BR /> <BR />The new Executive working group on mental health and well-being has been established. It is going to be vital, also, and it must prioritise mental health as we work through the outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic. I warn people that the COVID-19 virus is far from over. We have a long way to go and we cannot forget that.”
“Some 21% of women and 16% of men had mental health issues, and across Northern Ireland, 45,000 children had mental health issues and problems. In 2015, there were 318 suicides. Despite the Northern Ireland Suicide Prevention and Protect Life strategies, we continued to have a huge issue. <BR /> <BR />There are so many processes and initiatives out there that are good and positive, but at times it may be simplicity that will best help our mental health and well-being. In the Assembly, we must support the Health Minister on this issue to do all he can to help our population. Minister, you have my support. <BR /> <BR />Challenges of how we work, are able to interact and even visit our loved ones, will all change, and have changed due to COVID-19.”
“However, since then, demand has increased significantly and the daily bed-occupancy level is around 95%, which is quite staggering. There is also an increase in new presentations of those seeking mental health services. <BR /> <BR />These are the problems we are experiencing because of COVID-19, but in Northern Ireland before the COVID-19 pandemic, mental illness was the largest cause of ill health and disability in Northern Ireland. Prior to the pandemic, Northern Ireland is estimated to have had higher levels of mental illness than other regions in the UK, with one in five adults affected, or 185,000 people — that is an absolutely immense number — having a mental health problem, all at the same time.”
“International evidence indicates short- and long-term direct effects on mental health and psychological well-being and, in some cases, increased risk of suicide and post-traumatic stress. The causes that have had a direct effect on psychological well-being are clearly identified. These are social distancing, isolation, bereavement, unemployment, financial hardship, the inability to access health and social care services and increased work pressures. People who have had to shield for months may feel anxious and unsure about going outdoors. We need to help them. <BR /> <BR />Early indications in Northern Ireland showed that, for those with the most severe mental health, there was a drop in demand between February and March.”
“<BR /> <BR />This is not an easy thing for me to say, but I suffer from anxiety and depression, and at times it is difficult. At times every day, it can be a battle for me. Some will think that it is a weakness on my part to admit that. You can be the loneliest person in the world yet be the busiest, especially me, being a politician, yet you live your life helping others but are scared to admit your own vulnerabilities because of what others may think. <BR /> <BR />As we start to come out of lockdown and the world around us starts to crank up, the impact that COVID-19 will have on our mental health and well-being will be staggering. We in the Assembly must all come together to tackle what will be a huge task before us. The impact of COVID-19 on mental health is expected to be severe.”
“I just want to say a few words before I get onto Members' comments. I thank all the Members who are in the Chamber this evening for supporting the motion and the amendments. That means an awful lot to me, as you will maybe see we as go on. I think that the people of Northern Ireland will be delighted to see that we can all actually agree on a motion. That is the way to go, and I hope that it is something that we all remember. <BR /> <BR />How many times has the Assembly had debates on mental health over the years? Probably dozens, yet, despite all the debates and all the initiatives by successive Ministers, we never seem to be able to really get to where we want to and to get on top of mental health, but it is such a huge issue. That is why I am so pleased at the response from Members this evening.”
“I thank the Minister for his answers so far. Will the Minister give us a guarantee that the RQIA will be able to function properly after these resignations?”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. Does she agree that it is a shame that the Model Engineer's Society of Northern Ireland may have to leave the site? Would it not have been better to look at different areas of the site, where there are large spaces to which it could move? At this late stage, would the Minister consider writing to the Ulster Transport Museum to ask whether it would look at other areas of the site to which the society could move?”
“I find it strange that we, as an Assembly, cannot agree on regulations and to ensure that the regulations and the safety of our medicines are put forward for the safety of our people. I find it bizarre that we cannot support that at Committee Stage.”
“I find that strange, because the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs was able to agree for it to come forward.”
“Northern Ireland will be required to comply with EU standards in relation to falsified medications, whereas the rest of the UK will be free to diverge. Officials stated that the MHRA would continue to manage clinical trials. Officials confirmed that issues around the supply of and access to medicines were being addressed as part of the preparation work. <BR /> <BR />The Health Committee acknowledges that, in recent months, the Department of Health has been under enormous pressure to deal with COVID-19. However, due to the short time available for consideration, the Committee decided that it was not in a position to come to a decision to support the motion. I am disappointed in some of the parties opposite, who could not bring themselves to support this at Committee Stage.”
“Clause 5 deals with fees, offences and powers of inspectors, and clause 6 gives the Department powers to make regulations providing for the disapplication of human medicines in urgent situations in order to prevent serious harm to public health. The Committee's attention was drawn to clause 40, which requires consultation prior to the exercise of powers in relation to human and veterinary medicines, except in emergencies, as referred to. <BR /> <BR />Members were assured that the Bill is essentially an enabling Bill. Any regulations to be made under the provisions requiring consent will come back to the Committee for consideration in the usual way. Officials also confirmed that human medicine regulations are updated regularly, usually twice a year.”
“Clause 1 provides the Northern Ireland Department of Health, acting alone or with the Secretary of State, with delegated powers to make regulations in relation to human medicines. Clause 2 deals with the manufacturing, marketing and supply of medicines. It may be used to issue authorisations to manufacture, import or distribute medicines, as well as to regulate advertising, labelling and packaging. Clause 3 addresses falsified medicines. Regulations may be made to help prevent the supply of medicines that falsely represent their source. Clause 4 relates to clinical trials. Powers may also be used for the purposes of the authorisation, notification and reporting of requirements of clinical trials, similar to EU clinical trial regulations.”
“The Medicines and Medical Devices Bill, therefore, provides replacement delegated powers to the Department of Health in respect of human medicines and to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in respect of veterinary medicines. The Bill was described to the Committee as an enabling Bill. In both cases, powers may be exercised by the Minister acting alone or jointly with the Secretary of State. The motion seeks the Assembly's consent, in line with the Sewel convention, for clauses 1 to 11, which deal with human medicines and veterinary medicines, which are transferred matters, to extend to Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />The Committee for Health was briefed on the background of the Bill and on the nature of the power to be provided to the Department.”
“I support the legislative consent motion. The Bill derives from the UK's decision in 2016 to withdraw from the EU. Matters covered by the Bill have been within EU competence for the duration of the UK's membership of the EU, so, basically, we are agreeing to what is already in place. <BR /> <BR />The Medicines and Medical Devices Bill, which comprises 45 clauses and two schedules, was introduced in the House of Commons on 13 February 2020. Human medicines and veterinary medicines are a transferred matter. The main regulations transposing the EU legislative framework for human medicines were enacted on a UK-wide basis. Once the European Communities Act 1972 is repealed at the end of December 2020, a new power in primary legislation will be required to continue updating or amending those regulations.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement and welcome what he has said. In his statement, the Minister mentions looking for increased funding. Does he have any idea or a rough idea of how much funding will be needed? Can he give a guarantee that, as we ramp up outpatient appointments and operations, patients will be treated safely to ensure that they do not catch COVID-19?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. In light of panic buying by a small section of the public, which is unfortunate and not required, can the Minister assure the House that there will be enough hand sanitisers for health staff, especially for those who provide care in the community?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. How can we ensure that local employers have the same rights as those in England and can access their contribution to the apprenticeship levy?”
“I understand that the families of Charlotte Murray and Lisa Dorrian have been in contact about trying to introduce such a law for Northern Ireland. Does the Minister agree that those families have been through far too much pain, suffering and anguish and that those who are responsible for those murders, whether they have been convicted or will be in the future, should not get out of jail until such times as they reveal where people's loved ones are?”
“I thank the Minister for the work that he has done. What discussions has he had with the Finance Minister or with the First and deputy First Minister on the potential for more funding if a pandemic occurs?”
“As the Minister probably knows, the Housing Executive is very good at using condensation as a cover-up for damp and for the lack of cavity wall insulation. Can the Minister ensure that she pushes the Housing Executive to actually address those issues?”
“Are lessons being learned about all those positions that are not being filled? Is there an answer to the question of why that has happened? We should not let it happen in the future, because it has a knock-on effect on outpatient appointments and so on.”
“What plans is the Minister putting in place to cover the 3,000 vacancies in nursing positions across Northern Ireland?”
“Across Northern Ireland, one in seven people experience difficulty having children. Greater access to IVF is important. I want to see wider access to IVF treatment on the NHS, with an increase in entitlement to the three full cycles, as is the case in Scotland. Our people need to be supported and educated on the process. Support services are essential to ensure people are assisted at every step of their journey. There is a commitment to provide three full cycles of IVF treatment in 'New Decade, New Approach'. <BR /> <BR />I support the motion and my colleagues' amendment.”
“The former Health Minister acknowledged that the service in Northern Ireland fell short of the NICE guidelines due to the significant cost implications and other ongoing budget pressures but advised that the Department would consider options for further service provision and examine all practical options for improving the service currently offered.”
“The following criteria apply: there must be a medical cause of infertility, the female patient must be under 40 years of age when starting treatment, and the female patient should have had no more than three previous unsuccessful treatments. Only patients who are referred to the Regional Fertility Centre after 1 April 2012 are eligible. There are no restrictions on the status of the couple, the age of the man, or the dependent children. Women must be no older than 39 for treatment with donor eggs. The provision of one fresh and one frozen embryo transfer falls short of a full cycle as defined by the NICE guidelines. Storage costs for frozen embryos are publicly funded only for two years after treatment, after which they must be paid for privately.”
“A second review was held in 2008 in response to an Assembly motion calling on the Department to review the criteria that were used to assess eligibility, the ongoing problem with waiting lists and the number of IVF treatments that were available on the NHS, with a view to establishing a more equitable policy. As a result, a regional waiting list for fertility treatment was created from 2009. <BR /> <BR />In Northern Ireland, responsibility for the commissioning of fertility services lies with the Health and Social Care Board. While the Department endorsed the NICE guidelines, in practice, treatment is limited to one fresh and one frozen embryo transfer.”
“Fewer IVF treatments take place in Northern Ireland than anywhere in Britain. In Northern Ireland, women underwent 1,498 cycles, compared with London, the area with the highest number, where women received 16,649 cycles of treatment during 2014. In Britain, a quarter of a million babies have been born as a result of IVF. <BR /> <BR />In Northern Ireland, publicly funded IVF fertility treatment began in 2001, when the then Minister of Health announced the intention to consult on the provision of fertility services and introduced criteria for treatment in the interim. The consultation began in 2003, and, in 2006, revised criteria that widened access to treatment were introduced.”
“It is a chance for the Assembly to show what it can do collectively, together, for the protection of animals and a better place for us all to live.”
“Northern Ireland's service animals must have the same protection under Finn's law. I respectfully ask the Minister to give the Assembly a commitment to bring Finn's law into operation for Northern Ireland and bring us in line with the rest of the United Kingdom. <BR /> <BR />I wish to say thank you to Bernadette Kelly from Northern Ireland Finn's law, who has led the campaign across Northern Ireland for Finn's law to be introduced. She has mostly been on her own as she met and emailed all political parties to lobby for Finn's law. <BR /> <BR />Finally, the motion is about the welfare of service animals that put themselves at risk in order for us to have a better society. There is nothing political about the motion and I really hope that all Members see fit to support it.”
“Finn's law in Northern Ireland will lead to tougher punishment for those who attack service animals such as police dogs, and it will mean that service animals will be protected for their bravery. It is immoral that the law does not protect the animals upon which we place so much demand and responsibility. Those animals give their service with such loyalty and dedication to keep us safe, and the very least that we owe them is inclusion under animal welfare legislation. <BR /> <BR />Attacks do happen in Northern Ireland. The problem is maybe not as severe as it is in the rest of the UK, but that does not mean that we do not protect them should a serious attack happen. Police dogs have been hit with bottles and other missiles, and search and rescue dogs have also been put at risk.”
“<BR /> <BR />A petition has reached over 44,000 signatures from across Northern Ireland, and support and backing has come from K9 Search and Rescue, the USPCA, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), Assisi Animal Sanctuary, Mid Antrim Animal Sanctuary, Lucy's Trust, Tuk's Law, Almost Home, 7th Heaven, the Barn rescue centre, the Dogs Trust, Battersea Dogs Home, the Kennel Club plus all the smaller animal rescue centres and organisations across Northern Ireland and the UK. <BR /> <BR />Under the current law, it is unacceptable that, as a result of the training invested in service animals, they are excluded from the protection offered under animal welfare legislation. This is an obvious wrong that needs to be put right.”
“<BR /> <BR />Courageous service animals such as police dogs and horses must be offered greater protection under a new law. The law proposed in the motion would remove a section of the current law of self-defence, which is often used by those who harm service animals. This change, coupled with any plans to increase maximum sentences for animal cruelty offences to five years in prison, will make sure that those who harm service animals are punished accordingly. The campaign in Northern Ireland, which began in April 2018, is to have Finn's law implemented here to also protect our service animals, including police dogs, fire dogs, search and rescue dogs, prison dogs and even guide dogs. The current Animal Welfare Act 2011 must be amended to mirror Finn's law, known as the Animal Welfare (Service Animals) Act 2019.”
“The flaw in the Animal Welfare Act was identified and considered in Australia when it was creating its animal welfare legislation in 2002. The Australians ensured that the protections that animal welfare legislation offers must apply to their service animals. As a result, they included a specific section to ensure that the defence of fear should not apply to service animals or be treated as property. <BR /> <BR />The Animal Welfare Bill of 2019 — Finn's law — received Royal Assent on 8 April 2019 at Westminster. The Bill amended the Animal Welfare Act 2006 so that the statutory defence of fear that it contains does not apply to any service animal that has been trained to create intimidation or fear. This includes all service animals. The new Act covers England and Wales but not Northern Ireland, and Scotland has introduced its own laws.”
“All service animals should be recognised for the vital role that they fulfil. Part of that recognition should be the creation of a specific criminal offence of causing injury to them. The fact that the investment of public funds into specific training and licensing of these animals serves to exclude them from the protection of the current Animal Welfare Act is immoral. Many injuries are not followed through to charges, and fewer still go to court and receive any meaningful sentence. <BR /> <BR />Finn's law is not radical. Specific criminal offences for attacking or injuring a police animal have been created and are enforced in 10 states in the United States. Similar offences are also enforced in Austria, Germany, Australia, Holland, Switzerland, England and Wales, and Scotland.”
“Under Northern Ireland law, there is no specific offence for causing injury to a service animal while they are carrying out their duties. Attacks on police animals happen daily, but very few are pursued through the courts due to the lack of appropriate offences. PD Finn's offender was charged with criminal damage, which is akin to breaking a window or damaging a police radio. In other words, Finn was deemed worthless.”
“Finn's law came about after Finn was repeatedly stabbed in the chest and head on 5 October 2016 during an arrest. The injuries suffered by Finn were so severe that he required four hours of life-saving surgery and 11 weeks of recovery. Finn, for those who do not know, is a police Alsatian.”