Philip McGuigan
North Antrim · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“I concur with the Minister that patient safety is ultimately the top priority, but patient safety is also important, as the Member said, in terms of assessments. If you cannot get assessments, your safety is compromised.”
“On a point of order, Mr Speaker. Further to my party colleague's point of order about the DUP's internal investigation, what is the point of doing an investigation if you are telling us that you have nothing to answer for? You were the leader of the DUP at a time when accusations were levelled against Jeffrey Donaldson.”
“Minister, in your previous answers you talked about the pressures and the difficulties. You said that you were looking for a fair funding model, and you spoke of the need for taxpayers here to be treated equitably.”
“Minister, the inquiry found systematic abuse, neglect and serious governance failure at Muckamore Abbey Hospital over many years — failures that were not isolated incidents but reflected systematic issues across leadership, staffing, safeguarding and oversight that resulted in decades of physical and psychological abuse.”
“When I engage with health service sectors as my party's health spokesperson, there is not one that does not talk about workforce pressures and problems with staff recruitment and retention. That is clearly the case with doctors.”
“First Minister, you have spoken previously about the opportunities created as a result of our unique economic and trading position and about the increased potential that comes with all-island cooperation.”
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“Minister, you said that the report looked at two aspects: safety and teamwork. You kind of answered the question about public assurances regarding safety. On teamwork, what engagement, if any, have you or your Department had with the trade unions since the publication of this damning report?”
“I have no doubt that he will articulate that in his response. However, the Health budget is vast: 50% of the entire Budget. The Minister has committed, in his three-year plan for Health and Social Care (HSC), to develop an action plan and programme of work for the reform of general dental services by April 2027. By April 2027, we will not have any health service dentists left. <BR /> <BR />I urge the Minister to work with dentistry representatives to address access to NHS dentistry and workforce challenges and to restore public confidence in that vital part of our health service.”
“is an important aspect of getting this right and moving forward on it. Learning should be taken from the payment model followed in Scotland. The reform and investment there will clearly benefit both the dental sector by improving the NHS offer and patients by giving them increased NHS provision. <BR /> <BR />Last August, the Minister announced the dental access service, the enhanced child examination scheme and the 30% enhancement to the fees paid for fillings. That is a short-term measure that speaks to the urgent necessity for action and reform. <BR /> <BR />The Health Minister must bring forward a plan to stabilise NHS dentistry in order to avoid the complete collapse of the service. We are all aware of the budgetary constraints within which the Health Minister and every other Minister work.”
“<BR /> <BR />It is imperative that the NHS dental contract be revised and made reflective of the current cost of delivering modern dental care to ensure that practices are not pushed towards privatisation through financial necessity. Everyone deserves to be fairly paid for the work that they do, so the call in the motion to:”
“Dental care is not a luxury but a necessity, and it is vital for good general health. However, having the right to free dental treatment has no value or meaning when you cannot find an NHS dentist with the capacity to provide you with treatment. <BR /> <BR />Access to dental care cannot be just for those who can afford to pay for it; it is a fundamental aspect of our health and well-being. Our public health service was designed to prevent health inequalities, yet we see that being eroded across the board. With private healthcare becoming more and more prominent, nowhere is that development more stark than in dentistry, as we see.”
“We have seen those figures become reality. More than 53,000 NHS dental patients have been removed from dental practice lists over the past two years. During 2023-24, 114 dentists handed back their NHS contracts to the Department of Health, with many of them now doing private work only. Out of 360 dental practices in the North, only two are fully NHS practices. My household received three letters a fortnight ago to tell us that our dentist was going fully private over the summer. <BR /> <BR />We know that the loss of more NHS dentistry practices will have a disproportionate impact on patients on lower incomes and on children, who, as a result, may go without regular check-ups and preventative oral care for many years. Therefore, I agree with the other Members who have stated how important dental care is.”
“I thank the Alliance Members for tabling the motion and the DUP for its amendment, both of which we will support. <BR /> <BR />MLAs know, because our constituents have been telling us, that, in recent years, an increasing number of patients are and have been struggling to access NHS dentistry services, as more and more practices go private due to a lack of investment and rising costs in the industry. We have also heard from dentistry representatives that, unless action is taken soon, more dentists will inevitably leave the system and the crisis in NHS dentistry will deepen further. <BR /> <BR />The BDA's general dentist service survey, which was carried out last March, stated that almost 90% of dentists said that they intended to do less NHS dentistry in the coming year and almost half stated that they intended to go fully private.”
“I will follow on from the Minister's answer and the supplementary question. Over and above the specific training, does the Minister believe that a different and bespoke approach to mental health interventions for autistic children and young people, as well as adults, is required?”
“I welcome the Minister's statement and the all-island approach to health matters and particularly to cancer, including continued engagement and improvement in the areas of clinical trials and cancer research. Will the Minister indicate whether that work will help to unlock the current challenges with the secondary use of data and whether it has the potential to bring about an island-wide hub for cancer research, which would ultimately lead to better outcomes for patients across Ireland?”
“We look forward to hearing further information about the health budget. The Committee remains committed to working with the Minister and the Department of Health to ensure that additional funding is provided to the Department throughout the year. It is important that the Department have detailed plans for how it may spend any additional allocation that it receives during the year. <BR /> <BR />As Chair of the Health Committee, I am happy to support the Minister in any discussions with the British Government on additional funding for our health service. They must understand that there is little scope for transfer of funding from other Departments. We must make the case to the British Government to support our health service workers before it is too late.”
“We need to ensure that we have a framework and system in place that supports our workforce to deliver better outcomes for patients. <BR /> <BR />The Committee has been advised that there is a significant shortfall in the health budget for this year. It had previously been advised that the shortfall was £400 million, although we have seen from recent news reports that the Minister is now saying that the shortfall is over £500 million. It is therefore disappointing that the Committee has not had sight of the detailed spending plans for the incoming year. The Committee has been advised that the Department is still working through allocations, so we are not clear on what the priorities will be in the incoming year. On 29 May, the Minister will brief the Committee on his priorities.”
“We are hearing evidence from clinicians and families that, owing to a lack of funding for community services, palliative care patients are having to attend and be treated in emergency departments when they could and should be supported at home or in community services. That not only puts considerable strain on an already pressurised system but delivers worse outcomes for patients and their families. We have even heard of palliative care patients dying in emergency departments. We must provide patients with better outcomes and deliver treatment and support in the appropriate setting. <BR /> <BR />Our Health and Social Care workforce is the backbone of the system. I thank the staff who work in the system for the support, help and treatment that they provide across all our communities.”
“The Committee thanks the Minister for agreeing to provide us with regular, quarterly updates on the progress of the build. <BR /> <BR />The Committee welcomes the additional transformation funding that will allow a further roll-out of multidisciplinary teams in the community. That serves only to underline further the need for transformation across the health and social care sector. The Minister has rightly outlined his plans to shift left and to see more services provided in community settings. We now need to see the actions of the Department and the system follow the Minister's words and lead. A prime example of the need to shift services into the community relates to the Committee's inquiry into palliative care.”
“As a Committee, we are keen to see that investment make a significant impact on waiting lists. <BR /> <BR />Over the past 12 months, the Committee has raised considerable concerns about capital projects within the Department's remit. We have seen significant delays and overspend with the new maternity hospital. Over a year after the handover, we are still no clearer as to when the new hospital will open. We have seen and heard about the significant issues with the mental health inpatient unit. While the Committee will continue to monitor progress on those projects, it is keen to know that the Department and trusts have learnt lessons from them and that the lessons learned will be implemented in the building of the new children's hospital.”
“Despite the increased funding, we must acknowledge the significant challenges that persist in our health system. The North continues to grapple with the longest waiting lists on these islands, with hundreds of thousands of patients waiting for a first outpatient appointment and many more waiting more than two years. To combat that, the Budget includes an Executive ring-fenced allocation of £165 million, which is specifically aimed at reducing waiting lists. An additional £50 million has been earmarked to support that initiative further. Those targeted investments are critical steps towards improving patients' access to timely care. For a number of years, we have heard the Minister of Health and his predecessor explain that that is the level of investment needed to make a difference in the Department of Health.”
“That represents an increase of £642·5 million or 8·3% compared with the previous year.”
“We are hearing about pressures on GPs, dentists, community pharmacists and hospices, as well as on the community and voluntary sector, which, at this stage, is, unfortunately, having to look at cuts to services due to a lack of available funding. Indeed, the Committee tabled a debate on core grant funding just a number of weeks ago. The Department of Health has been allocated £8·4 billion for health and social care services in the fiscal year 2025-26.”
“I welcome the opportunity to outline to the Chamber the Health Committee's consideration of the 2025-26 Budget. I should say at the outset that the Committee recognises the budgetary constraints and pressures that the Health Department is under in this financial year; indeed, more widely, all Departments are under pressure. I could almost give the same speech that my colleague, the previous Chair of the Committee, gave at this stage last year, but I will not. <BR /> <BR />The Committee is still hearing of significant issues facing the health and social care sector, and especially in services delivered in the community.”
“I thank the Minister for that. Given the changes in disability benefits that have been imposed by the British Government, we urgently need to see the delivery of both disability strategies. What measures is his Department considering to support disabled people into employment?”
“Minister, can you reassure us in this Chamber but, more importantly, patients at home that your approach and the stand-off will not have a detrimental impact on patient access to GPs and, ultimately, patient outcomes?”
“Minister, you began by saying that you were not looking for a fight, but your statement is extremely combative. You are emphatic that you cannot do any more for GPs. However, equally emphatic is the fact that 99·7% of GPs have rejected your contract offer. The BMA talks of GP burnout, early retirements, potential contract hand-backs and recruitment and retention issues. It has mentioned the potential for collective action and reduced service in protest —”
“I thank the Minister for providing a useful update on lecturers' pay. Further to that, what is the position with regard to a pay offer for non-teaching staff in colleges?”
“The British Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport should urgently use her existing powers to introduce tighter restrictions on gambling advertising, including a watershed, to protect people here from gambling-related harms.”
“That is despite the fact that online gambling operators here profit from gamblers in the North, and those same operators, licensed by Britain's Gambling Commission, are allowed to freely advertise here in the North where our population receives none of the regulatory protection afforded to those in Britain. Ministers need to step up their efforts to ensure that the North receives its fair share of the levy on online gambling companies. <BR /> <BR />The gambling prevalence survey also showed that two thirds of our people believe that there are too many gambling advertisements, and 71% supported a watershed for TV and radio gambling advertisements.”
“Given existing pressures on addiction services, additional funding is required to provide those suffering from gambling-related harms with the support that they need and deserve. Therefore, the Minister for Communities needs to introduce a gambling industry levy on land-based operators here without delay. <BR /> <BR />It is also disappointing, though not surprising, to see that the North has a significantly higher rate of problem gambling than Britain. The British Government must do more to protect our population from gambling-related harm. The North does not receive any of the money raised from the statutory levy on online gambling operators introduced by the British Government on 6 April to fund research, prevention and treatment of gambling harms.”
“Clearly, gambling can have a wider impact in money loss, and that can affect families and communities, with 10% of people reporting that their relationship with someone close, such as a spouse, partner, family member or friend, had broken down because of someone's gambling. <BR /> <BR />It is concerning that, despite the depressing figures that I have just quoted, the research also found that only 1% of people who gamble have sought help, support or information from a gambling support service or mental health services. That clearly shows that there is an unmet need for gambling treatment services here in the North. The Minister of Health must urgently move to commission treatment services for gambling addiction.”
“The Department for Communities recently published the gambling prevalence survey for the North. The survey shows that 3% of our population are experiencing severe gambling-related harms, a further 10% are considered low- or moderate-risk gamblers, and approximately one in seven adults who participated in gambling here in the past 12 months said that they had, at least sometimes, bet more than they could afford to lose. About one in eight said that they needed to gamble larger amounts to get the same feeling of excitement, and just under one in 12 of those surveyed said that gambling had caused health problems, including stress and anxiety.”
“In the context of the debate, we are all aware of the pressures on our health service and the people who work in it, so, again, I take the opportunity to recognise that and the work of all our healthcare professionals.”
“I welcome the additional £10 million that has been allocated to those clinics and the commitment to invest in red-flag and time-critical services, capacity-building and clearing the backlog. The Minister's statement last week was welcome, but the implementation plans, which are to be published later this month, must include clear targets, timelines and performance indicators. Transparency will be key to building public confidence that the investment is being used to its maximum effect. <BR /> <BR />Today is International Nurses Day. I record my support for and appreciation of all our nurses and all those training to be nurses for their compassion and hard work and the invaluable role that they play in supporting patients across all settings in our health service, helping our communities and keeping our people healthy.”
“That is good not just for patients but for the health service as a whole. We are into the third year of a 10-year cancer strategy, and we must do better. The Minister must build on the cancer strategy's recommendations, including a focus on cancer research, which has a key role in improving diagnostics, treatment options and, ultimately, patient outcomes. The concerns raised in the Auditor General's recent report on the condition of imaging equipment such as MRI and CT scanners need to be addressed. I hope that the Minister will provide an update on that in his response. <BR /> <BR />Where improvements and progress towards reducing waiting times are being made, that should be acknowledged. The rapid diagnosis centres and mega-clinics referred to in the motion are good example of that.”
“Anyone who has waited for an appointment following a red-flag or urgent referral will attest to the worry and anxiety that fill the time between that referral and getting the results. For those who receive a cancer diagnosis, the need for urgency in getting any necessary surgery and beginning treatment can become all-consuming. <BR /> <BR />We are now acutely aware of the importance of catching and treating cancer early in order to improve outcomes. Awareness-raising campaigns that encourage us all to be alert to early indications of certain types of cancers have been very effective. They allow the continued growth of opportunities to screen people who do not have symptoms, which has, no doubt, helped to save lives. It is important that that is followed up by timely intervention.”
“<BR /> <BR />As I said when I made a Member's statement on the issue in the House a month ago, after the figures were published, we have to acknowledge that several caveats are at play with any statistics, so some caution should be exercised. What is clear, however, is that the reality falls far short of the expectations that people have when they begin their journey of cancer tests and, if appropriate, diagnosis and treatment. It is important to remember that those figures are not just statistics but equate to real people. In many cases, they equate to our own lived experience or that of family members, friends, work colleagues, neighbours or people in our wider communities. Any delay in diagnosis or treatment has the potential to impact on physical and mental health.”
“I thank the proposer of the motion for bringing the issue to the Chamber today. The most recent statistics for waiting times for cancer patients do not make good reading: they highlight a situation for cancer patients that simply is not good enough. As we have heard, only 87·5% of cancer patients started treatment within 31 days of a decision to treat, instead of the target of 98%. Only 37·9% of patients started treatment within 62 days following an urgent GP referral for suspected cancer, when that target is set at 95%. Just 31·7% of people were seen by a breast cancer specialist within 14 days of an urgent referral, despite the fact that all urgent breast cancer referrals should be seen within two weeks.”
“I hope that the current good weather continues well into June. Regardless, I have no doubt that Ballycastle and Rathlin will be buzzing and bustling with excitement, colour and much joy over the next couple of weeks. I wish both events and their organisers the very best of luck and success.”
“To complement the fleadh, there is the annual Rathlin Sound Festival, which runs from 23 May to 1 June. The festival, which takes place around the famous Rathlin Sound body of water, connects Rathlin Island to the shores of Ballycastle and brings to life the people, culture and heritage of the area. As anyone who has been to the festival will know, many vessels visit Ballycastle and Rathlin harbours throughout the festival period. Many people from across Ireland will travel to Ballycastle and Rathlin to enjoy the various arts, music, storytelling, artisan markets, food and drink that will be on offer. <BR /> <BR />There are an exciting few weeks ahead for Ballycastle and Rathlin. The fleadh and the festival will be welcomed and supported by locals, and they will create a welcome boost for local businesses and economy.”
“I want to promote a single topic but two events that are coming soon in my constituency of North Antrim. First, I congratulate Ballycastle Comhaltas for organising and bringing the Antrim fleadh to Ballycastle. That will run for a week, from next Monday, 19 May, until the following Sunday, 25 May. I have no doubt that the fleadh will attract huge numbers of people from across North Antrim, County Antrim and beyond. I am very much looking forward to being in Ballycastle during the week, seeing and hearing an amazing line-up of talent and celebrating North Antrim's rich heritage of culture, Irish music, language and dance at free events at numerous venues throughout Ballycastle. Ádh mór oraibh uilig.”
“I agree about the equity issue and urge the Minister to look at that. He said that he has set aside £10 million for those who have been on the waiting list for two years. Will he ensure that that £10 million is spent fully, even if it means reducing the two-year target that he set?”
“I welcome the statement, Minister, and I welcome your and the Executive's commitment to reducing the number of patients on our unacceptably high waiting lists. You highlighted the waiting list reduction reimbursement scheme, which will allow patients from the North to seek treatment in the South and, eventually, across the EU, with the cost of that treatment being reimbursed by the HSC. Obviously, I welcome that initiative. I am one of the MLAs whose letters asking for it to be started again are in your inbox, so I welcome the fact that it will begin in June.”
“However, I will add a third string: education programmes for diabetics themselves are equally important. It was 33 years after diagnosis that my wife was able to access the dose adjustment for normal eating (DAFNE) course, which, again in her words, was "life-altering". She got valuable information from the doctors and nurses that she had not heard in her 32 years' experience of being a diabetic.”
“It is important for diabetics in the North to have access to that audit. Perhaps the Minister, in his response, can tell us why we have not been included thus far and what the blockages have been, but, more importantly, give us an indication of when he expects us to be in a position to participate in that audit — when will that happen? As with all these things, particularly in the health service, the gathering of information is vital to providing the best patient outcomes, the best treatment and the best cost-efficiency. <BR /> <BR />The motion also talks about technology: the "hybrid closed-loop" system has the potential to transform the quality of life of and outcomes for those with type 1 diabetes. <BR /> <BR />In conclusion, audit participation and gathering information are vital. Technology is equally vital.”
“That framework was introduced by my colleague and now First Minister, Michelle O'Neill, when she was the Health Minister. It is due to end in 2026. We have all been engaged with those in the diabetes sector. Today, they want to know and we will seek clarity on what comes next when the framework runs out. Hopefully, the Minister can give clarity on what comes next: what preparatory work is under way; and will there be a co-design approach moving forward? We also want to seek a commitment from the Minister that there will be no gap between what is currently in place and what will follow. <BR /> <BR />As has been said, not all the recommendations in the framework have been actioned. In particular, as the motion indicates, the recommendation on regional participation in the National Diabetes Audit has not been actioned.”
“For 37 years, I have witnessed the positive technological benefits and changes and their impact on my wife's quality of life. Gone are the days when I helped her and watched her continuously pricking her finger and taking her own blood samples 10, 20 times a day to test her blood before and after meals to guess how much insulin she needed to take. When I asked my wife what I should say during this debate, she told me to point out that having a continuous glucose monitor has been "life altering". Those are her words: "life altering". <BR /> <BR />The motion also talks about the importance of the National Diabetes Audit:”
“According to the Diabetes Network in the North, almost 115,000 people here are living with diabetes, and, as has been stated, that figure is rising. There is an annual rise of 3,000. That translates to a financial cost of nearly £300 million a year to treat and care for diabetics living in the North. More than 10 people are diagnosed every day in the North, so that cost will rise continually. It is also estimated that 12,000 individuals are living with type 2 diabetes but have not yet been diagnosed. <BR /> <BR />The motion is very welcome, and I thank those who tabled it for debate today. It notes the rising prevalence of diabetes, as I have done, and highlights the importance of technology in managing the condition and improving the quality of life of diabetics. I totally concur with that.”
“I have seen many hyperglycaemic events and many, many hypos. Thankfully, only a few times have I had to administer an emergency pen.”
“I will begin by declaring an interest as my wife has been a type 1 diabetic for 37 years and my son is a type 1 diabetic of nine years. Whilst I do not have first-hand experience, I have been party to thousands of hours of conversations on blood sugar levels, the sugar content of various foods and the number of units of insulin that is required for injections before or after various meals.”
“I welcome the Minister's statement and all the positive aspects contained in it. It is particularly encouraging, Minister, that you intend to introduce paid carer's leave. Do you have any estimate of how much that is likely to cost?”
“I thank the Minister for bringing forward those positive initiatives. As a motorist and a cyclist, I can verify just how scary our roads can be. Will the Minister ensure that adequate funding is secured in her budget to bring forward those measures?”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. More importantly, the residents of Glenshesk Road, who have been severely impacted on as a result of the landslide since March 2024, will welcome the completion of the work in August. Given that that was not the first landslide on the Glenshesk Road, will the works that you have outlined look at future-proofing to help to prevent another similar landslide?”
“<BR /> <BR />The Committee remains committed to working with the Minister and the Department to ensure that additional funding is provided to the Department throughout the year. It is important that the Department has detailed plans for how it will spend any additional allocations that it receives during the year.”
“We have an amazing maternity hospital that cannot be opened due to issues with the water, and we have a mental health inpatient centre that has been open for only a few years and needs significant work due to leaking pipes. That does not build confidence in the Department's and the trusts' ability to manage significant projects. The Committee will have a briefing this week on the lessons that have been learned from the maternity hospital and how they will be applied to the new children's hospital. <BR /> <BR />It is disappointing that the Committee has not been able to scrutinise the Department's detailed spending plans for 2025-26. There is a need for better planning by the Department and the trusts on spending, and, like the previous Member to speak, I state that a multi-year Budget would provide the opportunity to improve planning.”