Robin Swann
North Antrim · Ulster Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“I thank the Minister for his detailed statement. I know how passionate he is about the subject and how many times he has brought it to the Executive.”
“It has been reported that today will potentially be the warmest day of the year. As we move into the summer and our summer holidays, I want to raise public awareness of wildfires across Northern Ireland, which have been detrimental to farmland and our environment over the past number of years.”
“Wildfires are still having a detrimental impact on our environment and, occasionally, on livestock, but that reduction shows the impact of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service's proactive approach to educating the general public and engaging with rural communities and schools on its fire safety message, which is to stay alert, not…”
“There has been a lot of talk of sport in this place over the past few days, with everybody concentrating on UEFA. One sport that is going on across Northern Ireland at the minute is cross-community and goes across all age groups without fear, favour or distinction: pigeon racing.”
“I want to put on record that, since this place passed the amendment that recognised pigeon racing as a sport under the 2016 Act, over the past five years, pigeon racing clubs across Northern Ireland have been able to obtain £113,000 of rates rebates through the sports and recreation rate relief, allowing many of those clubs to continue ra…”
“There was much coverage on social media over the weekend of an incident in Staines in England, in which a police car rammed a young calf to bring it under control. It has restarted the conversation about animal cruelty. <BR /> <BR />I am dealing with a specific case in my constituency.”
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“<BR /> <BR />The trust rebuild plans are based on five principles, which are, first, that we de-escalate ICU as a region; secondly, that staff are afforded an opportunity to take entitled annual leave; thirdly, that elective care is prioritised regionally to ensure that those who are most in clinical need, regardless of place of residence, get access first; fourthly, that all trusts seek to develop green pathways with the aim of maximising theatre throughput; and, fifthly, that the Belfast City Hospital Nightingale facility is prioritised for ICU de-escalation in order to increase regional complex surgery capacity as quickly as possible. <BR /> <BR />For that fifth principle, I can confirm that the Belfast City Hospital Nightingale facility is now closed, with the last remaining ICU patients vacating the site on Friday 9 April.”
“However, I also know that they wish for nothing more than a return to their normal duties, delivering the care that they are expertly trained to do. I am hopeful that the publication of the plans signals a gradual return to normal duties for our staff.”
“It is in that context that I am today publishing trust rebuild plans for April to June 2021. The publication of those plans comes as we emerge from the severe third COVID wave, which has further depleted the resilience of our health and social care system. Over the winter, our health and social care services have been under pressure like never before. I am pleased that we are now coming out of the latest COVID-19 wave, and, while there is no time for complacency, the highly successful roll-out of the vaccine is giving real hope. <BR /> <BR />I am aware that our hard-pressed health and social care staff, especially those who have worked in the most challenging roles over the past 13 months, are in need of rest, and that is reflected in the trust rebuild plans.”
“<BR /> <BR />Undoubtedly, the pre-existing fragility in our system also hampers our response to the pandemic and underlines the particular need for caution in Northern Ireland as we emerge from lockdown.”
“The following year, an expert panel assessed our adult social care system, and its report, 'Power to People', concluded that it was "collapsing in slow-motion." <BR /> <BR />The decade of chronic underfunding has had consequences, not least of which is the failure to build greater capacity and resilience. We have some of the best staff and most innovative treatments in the world. Northern Ireland should simply not have the waiting times that it has. They have been intolerable for some time and have grown worse. The time for words of concern has passed. I firmly believe that we require a period of firm action now. The hundreds of thousands of people who are on a waiting list deserve no less.”
“Our health and care system was under immense and growing pressure long before the pandemic. Ten years of financial stringency and short-termism had undoubtedly taken its toll. During the last decade, our health system has been repeatedly documented as being out of date and failing. <BR /> <BR />Sir Liam Donaldson's 2015 report, 'The Right Time, The Right place', referred to Northern Ireland having an "ossified model of care", with specialist staffing resources "too thinly spread". Similarly, the 2016 Bengoa report, which was endorsed by the Northern Ireland Executive and the other parties in the House, referred to the model of care as "outdated" and:”
“<BR /> <BR />The people of Northern Ireland deserve better than having to wait months or, in many cases, years for access to elective healthcare. Many suffer pain and discomfort while they wait. We simply cannot let the situation continue to deteriorate. I am absolutely determined to put this right. However, as I will argue today, I cannot do this alone. If we are to address our absolutely dire waiting lists, I need the support of the House and my Executive colleagues. <BR /> <BR />Before I delve further into that issue and cover the trust rebuild plans, I will set the scene by briefly outlining how recent history has led to where we find ourselves today. The pandemic has highlighted serious, long-established fragility in our health and social care system, especially in staffing capacity.”
“First, I would like to update the House on our immediate plans for rebuilding health and social care services. Today, I am publishing the trust rebuild plans for the months of April, May and June. <BR /> <BR />Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, I would like to provide an update on some of my longer-term rebuilding initiatives. I will focus on cancer services, the long and growing waiting lists, and on the significant constraints that I face in tackling those. <BR /> <BR />Our health service prides itself on being available to all and free at the point of access. I contend that we are still in grave danger of undermining this essential feature of our health service. With ever-growing waiting lists, I question whether all of our citizens have adequate access to the health service that they need.”
“Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to speak. <BR /> <BR />Before I move to the substantive content of my statement, I pay my respects to the late Duke of Edinburgh. Prince Philip was a truly extraordinary individual. A distinguished veteran of the Second World War, he was someone who dedicated his entire adult life to selfless public service. He was at the helm of the royal family for longer than most of us have been alive. He was an anchor of steadfastness, and it is clear that he had a total and unswerving dedication and devotion to his country — his charitable interests included being patron of a number of health organisations — and, most importantly, to his wife, Her Majesty The Queen. His immense contribution can never be overstated. <BR /> <BR />My motivation in making today’s statement is twofold.”
“I commend them for their strong support and contribution in reducing the impact of COVID-19 on our community. <BR /> <BR />Secondly, I want to remind everyone that the most important actions that we can all take to limit the spread of the virus is to stay at home, to limit our contact with others and to isolate from others immediately if we have symptoms. <BR /> <BR />Mr Speaker, it gives me no pleasure in having to move these regulations or restrictions, but I commend the regulations to the Assembly. With the Members' indulgence, I will write to anyone who asked specific questions in the debate.”
“I am hopeful that our health service will not go back to what we had before but that we can progress and develop it and make it a better service. <BR /> <BR />I have a number of specific questions from Members. With their indulgence, if I cannot complete them in this session before 1.00 pm, rather than coming back for four or five minutes, if the House is content, I will write to Members with responses. I hope that I answered many Members' queries in the opening debate as well. <BR /> <BR />In closing, I want to do two things. First, I express my thanks and the appreciation of all of us here today to all those working across our health service during the most difficult time. I also thank the public for adhering to the guidance and regulations. I know that it is not easy.”
“One of Carál's contributions and topics that was echoed around the House, and it is one that I want to join, was support for those who work in our health family and the dedication and commitment that they have given over the past year. Their families have also borne the weight and cost of seeing their loved ones going out day after day to work in very challenging circumstances. <BR /> <BR />Carál talked about the strength of our communities coming together through the pandemic. She was right to raise the strength of our communities coming together, but also the light that has been shone on the gaps and weaknesses within our communities. People living on their own and who are lonely have been left and isolated to an extent. Hopefully, we do not go back to what we had before.”
“Like many other conditions, we know that that one will be with us for a long time, and we want to make sure that there is a holistic approach to the supports that are necessary. That comes forward through some of the work that we are looking at in Whiteabbey on nurse-led and allied health professional-led support mechanisms. <BR /> <BR />I hope that Ms Ní Chuilín and I are still friends, at least inasmuch as she seemed to indicate that we are. I know that she has left, and I say that just in case I maybe said something about her but, hopefully, not. Carál brings value to the debate, having sat in the Executive while some of the restrictions were made and some of the relaxations were brought in. She brings value in understanding the challenges from both sides.”
“I say that because I can already feel the emails coming in from all the agitated golfers saying that they have not got out. That is something that we will continue to look at. <BR /> <BR />The Member raised the support for long COVID. She has often raised that in the House. The Health and Social Care Board has been tasked with bringing forward what the model on that will look like. That is now being discussed at a four-nations level so that we can pick up and learn from other jurisdictions that are already looking at services. Some have said that they have commissioned support, but when we delve deeper we see that it is still a process of commissioning rather than having something on-site. Therefore, that is an ongoing piece of work.”
“That is because they have recognised the challenges that are brought about in setting targets, numbers or limits for young people gathering. Therefore, that is being looked at, and I think that it was also raised at the Committee by you, and Liz Mitchell from my Department responded to it. <BR /> <BR />With regard to two-ball and four-ball golf, I will be honest and say that I have never played, so I have no idea. As far as I can see, I thought that they had come up with a graduated response, but that is for another time. However, it is a welcome step that we are looking at encouraging more outdoor sports and facilitating those people who want to get into them. It is an informed discussion and decision that is made on those restrictions.”
“<BR /> <BR />With regard to Paula Bradshaw's contribution, I too look forward to when we will no longer be in the House debating these regulations and the easing of restrictions, because that will mean that we have completed a very hard and difficult journey. I also look forward to when we are able to discuss those things that we agree on as well as those things that we disagree on outside of COVID. That is where we should be in the House and what we should be discussing. <BR /> <BR />I know that the Member and Ms Ní Chuilín raised the guidance that is specific to young people. Other jurisdictions have looked to the numbers of people who are gathering and have come up with a greater number of young people who can gather together.”
“That is detrimental not just to the decision-making process but to the confidentiality and robustness that we need to have in the Executive among ourselves before something is made public. That is because that happening sets up train of thought and a chain of challenges and questions that are then in the public domain before the Executive have finished the rest of their discussion, never mind the rest of their meeting. That is something that the First Minister raised this morning again when she reminded all ministerial colleagues about the code of conduct that we have all signed up to, and she reinforced that at this morning's Executive.”
“That is why that specific request came about, so it is about how other Ministers feed into those relaxations that we need to see. <BR /> <BR />Much of Ms Hunter's contribution was about the economic challenges that the restrictions face. We in Health are always conscious of that, and we look to the balanced approach that is taken across the Executive when making or easing restrictions so that we are doing it in a proportionate manner. <BR /> <BR />One of the things that Ms Hunter raised was how she finds out on Twitter what has happened. I have raised my frustration in the House about that because often a conversation is not finished before a journalist reports it.”
“I welcome the comments from the Deputy Chair of the Committee, Pam Cameron, that the restrictions that need to be in place are sensible, proportionate and safe. That is so that, when we look to easing those restrictions, we do not end up having to take a step back. The entirety of the Executive, the House and Northern Ireland want to ensure that, once we start down the pathway of easing restrictions, we do not have to step back. <BR /> <BR />Cara Hunter specifically raised the Nightingale courts, which allow for other Departments hold public inquires. I am not sure if she is aware of this, but that measure came forward from her party colleague the Minister for Infrastructure so that she could discharge some of her public duties on public inquiries.”
“In other jurisdictions, we have seen test, trace and protect being given to private contractors, which perhaps see it as a for-profit exercise rather than a public health exercise. We were very clear in Northern Ireland that test, trace and protect would remain in public health.”
“Weekly updates from our test, trace and protect system show that, on 10 January, for each positive case, we identified 1·5 contacts. As of 14 March — last week — for each positive case, we identified three contacts. That spread is still there in people's contacts; although we are in the same level of restrictions, the numbers of contacts are increasing. That is a concern. It is why we still ask people to conform to social distancing and all the other regulations. <BR /> <BR />The Chair asked about the number of full-time-equivalent staff whom we have in regard to bank and part-time staff. The idea of where we are in test, trace and protect is so that it can flex up and flex down, depending on how many positive cases are coming through. Often, in that scenario, it is about quality versus quantity.”
“My Department is undertaking work with the Minister of Education and the Department of Education on how we re-engage youth services. Carál Ní Chuilín mentioned that. <BR /> <BR />The Chair talked about his engagement with our test, trace and protect system. I am glad that he has done that; I think that he will have found a very dedicated cohort of public health professionals who are doing an excellent job in what is a very challenging time. To put things in perspective, last week, 1,242 positive cases were transferred to our test, trace and protect system. Staff were able to contact 94% of them. Of those 1,242, 3,605 contacts were identified. Staff were able to track down 99% of them. Compared to any other test, trace and protect system across these islands, those levels of achievement are outstanding and are to be commended.”
“It is certainly useful for me, as Minister, to take the feedback from the debates that we have on the regulations. It would also allow for greater input from Committees. <BR /> <BR />The Chair talked about recovery and rebuilding. I hope to publish our next three-monthly rebuilding plans towards the end of this month for April, May and June, as we did last year, so that we take that stepped approach to how we re-engage many of our services across the entirety of our health service in Northern Ireland as we see the more regional approach that has been adopted. <BR /> <BR />There is a specific cell in the Executive's COVID task force in regard to adherence and compliance. That will be beneficial when we engage with young people on how we move forward.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. That was as subtle as I have heard you this long time. <BR /> <BR />I welcome today's debate on SR 46/2021: the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (Amendment No. 5) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021. I thank Members for their contributions. The regulations were unanimously passed by the Executive. As we move into the phase of lifting restrictions and out of lockdown, the Executive have formed a COVID task force, which will look at the steps. I know the process from the Executive point of view, but it might be worthwhile for the Chair of the Committee to engage with the Executive Office in regard to how the Committee could get access to the scrutiny and look at the process of how the decisions about the next review period are made. That will be useful.”
“There was extensive engagement with a number of Departments about the limits on the number of attendees likely to be involved and, equally importantly, the mitigations that would be in place. The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and Deputy Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA) were content to support that amendment on the basis of risk mitigations that could be put in place. <BR /> <BR />I believe that the limited relaxations to the restrictions introduced through the amended regulations were a measured and proportionate response to the information that was available at the time of the seventh review of the No. 2 restrictions regulations on 18 February and are in line with the intentions of 'Moving Forward: The Executive's Pathway Out Of Restrictions', which was published subsequently on 2 March. I commend the regulations to the Assembly.”
“<BR /> <BR />The second of the amendments increased the number of people permitted to gather socially outdoors from a maximum of six from no more than two households to a maximum of 10 from no more than two households. However, the restrictions on all other outdoor gatherings, including sporting events and gatherings in private dwellings would remain unchanged. <BR /> <BR />The final amendment permits Departments to use conference facilities for the purposes of holding a public inquiry. The amendment extends a similar provision in place for holding courts, tribunals and appeals services in COVID-secure facilities and conference centres, recognising that our vital legal functions must continue to be delivered even in the midst of severe restrictions.”
“The amendment addressed that omission, and I am pleased to say that the regulations now provide for that to take place. I take the opportunity to thank the Examiner for drawing that to my Department's attention. <BR /> <BR />Three further amendments commenced from 8 March to permit some additional relaxations to the restrictions. With your permission, Mr Speaker, I will outline each of them in turn. The first allows a degree of limited opening for non-essential retail by way of contactless click and collect. If I may, I would like to report that, following engagement with retailers and retail sector representative bodies, the Department for the Economy worked with my Department to develop proposals to facilitate the provision of limited non-essential retail click-and-collect services.”
“I must inform Members that that review was carried out a week ago today, on 16 March, and the Executive confirmed that the retention of the principal regulations remained a proportionate and appropriate response to the pandemic, albeit with some further modest relaxations that were announced last week. <BR /> <BR />The remaining amendments in SR 2021/46 make four changes to the restrictions to allow some small relaxations that, I hope, the House will welcome. The first amendment came into effect on 2 March to permit the carer of a Motability scheme customer to accompany them to assist when they pick up their vehicle. The Examiner of Statutory Rules, in her report on a previous Motability scheme amendment, had highlighted that practical difficulty for some scheme users.”
“The emergence of other variants was an additional concern for my officials. <BR /> <BR />In the light of all those very real possibilities, the Executive agreed, at the time of the seventh review of the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) Regulations on 18 February, that we should continue with the restrictions for another four-week period. A couple of essential technical amendments were, therefore, made to the legislation to extend the operation of the coronavirus regulations once again. <BR /> <BR />The amendments that we are debating stipulate that a formal review of the need for the restrictions regulations should be carried out on or before 18 March.”
“In the population, the so-called Kent variant was accounting for approximately 70% of positive cases in Northern Ireland. That is a particularly unwelcome strain, being some 70% more transmissible than the original variant. The danger signs were clearly present. Increased interpersonal contact over Christmas had led inescapably towards a sharp rise in case numbers during January. We saw reducing case numbers only in February as a result of restrictions, but they were falling from a very high place. I could not, in all honesty, risk us losing control of community transmission again, with the inevitable surge in hospitalisations and deaths that would follow from that. In parallel, the health service continued to struggle to manage the severe pressures that were on it as a result of the existing high number of hospital cases.”
“There were 460 COVID-positive inpatients, down from 662 on 7 February. However, the number of inpatients remained worryingly and stubbornly high in comparison with the first peak of 322 COVID-positive hospital inpatients, and it was higher than the number on 16 October, when we brought in stronger restrictions to curb the second wave. COVID-positive ICU occupancy had fallen only slowly from a peak of 74 on 25 January to 51 on 18 February. <BR /> <BR />While those were, clearly, welcome signs, the position in our ICUs remained very serious. The number of ICU patients sat at about the same levels that we experienced at the peaks of the two previous waves. In April and November, there was every indication that ICU occupancy would remain stubbornly high for many weeks.”
“<BR /> <BR />Essential to our being able to leave the lockdowns behind is that everyone continues to keep the rules and follow my oft repeated simple health messages: maintain social distancing; wash your hands frequently; do not touch your face; avoid touching surfaces if you are out of your home; wear a face covering in appropriate settings — and, please, self-isolate and seek a test immediately if you experience symptoms. Remember, we cannot relax our guard yet. We have come a considerable distance, but have still a considerable way to go. <BR /> <BR />I now return to the amendments. I will set the context, summarise the statutory rule, and be happy to take questions. <BR /> <BR />When the amendments were agreed by the Executive, on 18 February, we were seeing a decrease in COVID-19-positive cases, hospitalisations and ICU occupancy.”
“<BR /> <BR />If this lockdown has felt more oppressive than any we have endured so far, I hope, like all Members, that it will be the last time that we are forced to deploy such a blunt instrument to this extent in Northern Ireland. Short, dreary winter days in lockdown combined to make poor companions. The previous lockdowns, during the warmer spring and autumn days, at least allowed us to enjoy being outside in the fresh air, with its benefits to health and well-being.”
“I meant what I said, as I always recognised the harm that the restrictions would cause and what a fine balance the Executive had to strike. Members should understand that the restrictions, however unpopular, were entirely necessary as the rate of infection spiralled, exponentially at times. <BR /> <BR />It was on 19 March 2020 that the first of many deaths occurred in Northern Ireland. I offer my deepest sympathies to all the families that have suffered loss, grief and pain since. I do not forget those who may yet experience pain or loss as a result of the pandemic. It is vital that we do not lose sight of why such strict measures were — and are — necessary. Life has changed immeasurably for all of us, but it is my sincerest hope that we can now move along the pathway to a new normal as soon as possible.”
“It is a solemn moment for us to remember the more than 2,100 people who have succumbed to COVID-19 in Northern Ireland over that time. <BR /> <BR />More often than not, the Executive have had to bring harsh restrictions to the House to protect the most vulnerable and to ensure that our vital health services were not overwhelmed. Today, I find myself in the all too rare position of bringing small relaxations to the restrictions. It is my sincere hope that, with the continued successful delivery of our vaccination programme, I will to be able to continue to do that. <BR /> <BR />I am sure that some of the Members who spoke or wrote to me over the past year may not have fully believed my replies when I said that I would not keep the restrictions in place for one moment longer than necessary.”
“I absolutely understand that the regulations were sometimes unpopular and difficult to comprehend, but they always had the overarching intention of overcoming the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. <BR /> <BR />Today, 23 March 2021, is very nearly one year since the first set of restriction regulations were made, at 9.15 on the night of 28 March. Those initial principal regulations have long since been revoked and replaced, and more than 40 amendments have charted our course through the worst stages of the pandemic. <BR /> <BR />Little did we realise a year ago what havoc this terrible disease would inflict not only here but across the globe. We have endured many dark days and days of dashed hopes.”
“I bring forward for debate the latest amendment to the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations, that is SR 2021/46. <BR /> <BR />With your permission, Mr Speaker, and the indulgence of Members present, I begin by reflecting on an unprecedented year of challenge for us all, on our National Day of Reflection. All the Ministers in the Executive have had the challenging responsibility of maintaining a delicate balance between protecting the health of our most vulnerable people, our vital health services and our citizens' livelihoods. <BR /> <BR />I assure Members that my central motivation was and is to act in the best interests of the entire population. Mr Speaker, you will be only too aware of how many times in the past year I have had to bring Coronavirus restrictions regulations before the House.”
“I think I saw what the Member said, but I will apologise if I was wrong.”
“Mr Carroll can read his contributions in Hansard where he made it very personal. <BR /> <BR />I saw Ms Sheerin speak from a sedentary position, and I assumed what she said. If I misheard or misread what the Member said, I apologise to her.”
“The Member again is trying to make a political point by making it personal: I regret that. As I said in my initial answer, the issue is cross-cutting and controversial. Therefore, as part of the ministerial code, I must bring it to the Executive to discuss and agree. Any commissioning of services that seem to be outside that remit and outside the Programme for Government will be open to challenge, as would I for breaking the ministerial code. I ask the Member to take the issue on its political and medical merits rather than trying to personalise it with regard to my position on it.”
“The Member makes a valid point and has raised a question that is in many heads and hearts across Northern Ireland at this minute in time. However, what I say to them is that, if this place were not here, Westminster would have a free hand to do whatever it wanted to do. We will wait to see what the Secretary of State brings forward in his proposals. As yet, I have seen nothing.”
“With regard to an earlier answer, nobody should judge anyone who is entering a health facility or why they are entering it. That is wrong. The protesters who are outside do a disservice to the staff working in the clinic and to individuals who are seeking medical support and advice. I ask them to desist from doing that until the issue is resolved through proper democratic scrutiny and accountability.”
“I have spoken to the Secretary of State and to the Minister of State, Robin Walker, on this specific issue and on what, I believe, is a devolved matter. I have said that publicly and in the House. It is also a matter that must be brought before the Executive and agreed, because it is cross-cutting and controversial, as some of the commentary that has already been delivered today in the House shows. If I were to proceed, should I want to proceed, with the matter, I would find myself in breach of the ministerial code and would be open to legal challenge, as would any adoption of the service.”
“I agree with the Member that there should be no obstruction for anyone who wants to access a health service, whether it is commissioned or not. Those who have used their legal right to protest, as the Member has indicated, should not obstruct entry or interfere with any individual who wants to enter a healthcare facility to seek any healthcare provision that they may want.”
“Should a woman want to access abortion services, she can contact her GP in the first instance or she can contact Informing Choices NI. <BR /> <BR />Abortion services in Northern Ireland are not illegal. They are being carried out by health professionals. It is just the commissioning of a full and comprehensive abortion service in Northern Ireland that still has to be referred to and agreed by the Executive.”
“Those services are not illegal. They are being performed across all the trusts in Northern Ireland.”
“I have never said that I will not commission those services. What I have said is that I have a duty, as Minister of Health, to bring any proposal to the Executive that concerns the commissioning of services, because I consider that matter to be cross-cutting and controversial. Under the ministerial code, I must do that to meet my legal obligations.”
“What I am —. I am not a liar, no matter what the Member says.”
“I thank the Member. I want to correct her. She said that I have said that I will not commission those services. She is wrong in saying that.”
“I thank the Member for her comments and those of her party. As I said, I am of the view that the matter is cross-cutting and controversial and therefore must be taken forward by the Executive in the first instance before any proposal to commission a service can be taken any further.”