Colm Gildernew
Fermanagh and South Tyrone · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“I thank the Minister for his statement. I have been working with Dungannon Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It will welcome this work, particularly in light of its concerns about vacancy and protecting the retail heart of towns such as Dungannon.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Minister, you said that there has been an improvement. However, recently, there were reports of over 1,400 patients waiting more than 28 days. How will you ensure that trusts consistently meet the targets for suspected cancer appointments in particular?”
“However, the Committee will want to examine carefully how any new or amended powers would operate in practice. Powers relating to information sharing, official warnings, directions, removal from office and disqualification can have significant, long-standing consequences for charities, trustees, staff, volunteers and, indeed, public confi…”
“<BR /> <BR />The regulations are consequential to the uprating order and provide the supporting technical changes needed to ensure that the revised benefit rates operate correctly. The regulations increase the earning limit for carer's allowance from £196 a week to £204 a week.”
“In response to those findings, Minister Hargey introduced the Charities Bill, which was enacted in 2022. The legislation put in place many of the review's priority recommendations in the limited time remaining in that mandate. The Charities (Amendment) Bill represents the next stage of that reform programme.”
“The Committee will wish to explore the implications of those changes, including for organisations operating across jurisdictions or delivering charitable activity in or from the North. Our charity sector includes a diverse range of bodies.”
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“<BR /> <BR />Although the regulations came into force a while ago, we still see a need for regulation that is proportionate and measured. It has been said before, but it is worth noting that the regulations have since been amended and overtaken by other regulations. However, it is important to fully reflect on them today. <BR /> <BR />Tá a fhios againn cad é a oibríonn: an scaradh sóisialta, do lámha a ní. We know what works: it is the COVID basics of social distancing, washing your hands and good respiratory hygiene. We know that that can have a positive impact on the spread of the virus. I will make a plea about face coverings: I encourage everyone to remember to wear a face mask. The wearing of a face covering is more productive than not wearing one, and it is something that we can all do for ourselves and each other.”
“We look forward to ongoing engagement with the Department to ensure that we respond promptly, proportionately and on an evidence-led basis to the challenges ahead and that changes are communicated effectively throughout the community. <BR /> <BR />I will now make a few remarks in my role as Sinn Féin spokesperson for health. We understand that these are unprecedented and extremely challenging times. Normally, I do not think that anyone in the House would consider regulations and powers such as these, but they are necessary. We need to keep it in mind that individuals and communities are directly affected by bereavements and struggle with the restrictions and the lack of work opportunities and threats to business. We are all conscious of those concerns.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Committee noted that there was provision for fixed penalty notices and court proceedings that could lead to a fine at level 5 on the standard scale. The Chief Environmental Health Officer advised us that the different provisions were there to provide options to the PSNI for lesser and more serious breaches, although their approach remained to advise and encourage adherence before moving to enforcement. The Committee requested further information on the enforcement of the regulations to date, and perhaps the Minister will say a little more about that in his closing remarks. <BR /> <BR />In closing my remarks as Chair, I confirm that, despite the concerns raised, the Committee agreed to support the confirmation of the regulations.”
“A degree of concern was expressed about the low level of mask-wearing in certain settings, such as petrol stations, although positive views were expressed on compliance in retail settings more generally. We have all witnessed how people have a mask on when doing a big shop, but, when they pop in and out to pick something up, they do not. That presents a risk that we should all be conscious of. On the compulsory use of face coverings, the director of public health acknowledged that the list of exceptions was wide but expressed the view that the approach of encouraging personal judgement was more likely to be successful in driving up compliance than seeking to be more prescriptive. She also confirmed that visors were not regarded as face coverings for the purpose of the legislation.”
“<BR /> <BR />When the Committee enquired about the requirement for risk assessments for certain gatherings, the CEHO emphasised that the Department's guidance would direct an organiser to consider the potential risks, depending on the nature of the gathering, and to put in place reasonable measures to address them, such as provision for handwashing, one-way systems etc. He advised that the health and safety website has a template to assist. On that occasion, the CEHO could not provide detail on the application of risk assessment in school settings but confirmed that the CMO and the Chief Scientific Adviser were working with the education sector on that. <BR /> <BR />We also explored the level of public compliance with regulations and their enforcement.”
“Staff working in a shop are not required specifically to wear face coverings, but employers may decide that that is necessary. <BR /> <BR />In our discussion on 10 September, student accommodation was already a worry, and the serious concerns of permanent residents were put to officials, as were the risks associated with large student houses both for the students and, if they return home at weekends, for their families. The CEHO confirmed that no specific regulations to address student accommodation were in development at that time, because each house or apartment becomes a student's residential address for the purpose of the regulations, which apply equally to such houses and should be adhered to. The Committee has asked to be kept updated on the working group that has been established to work through all of those issues.”
“<BR /> <BR />Further to questions around funeral arrangements, the CEHO confirmed that funerals had been taken out of the regulations and were instead subject to detailed statutory guidance developed through significant engagement with stakeholders to seek to address the sensitivities of that matter. <BR /> <BR />The distinction between what is covered by legislation and what is covered in guidance or statutory guidance arose in a discussion on face coverings. The director of public health advised that the regulations required face coverings on public transport, in shops and in shopping centres, subject to exemptions. In other indoor spaces, face coverings are strongly advised in guidance where a 2-metre distance cannot be maintained.”
“When we go into our family home, we touch many more surfaces — we put on the kettle, and we open the cupboard to find things — and there is evidence that that is causing further spread. <BR /> <BR />Public messaging on this is so important, and it is a matter to which we will, no doubt, return. Public understanding will be key to sustaining support for the rules in the coming months. The CEHO confirmed that the regulations are kept under constant review and that renewed efforts were being made to bring all the guidance together in one place on nidirect, which is a welcome step.”
“Committee members conveyed that there was a degree of frustration on the part of the public in trying to keep up with frequent changes and understand the rationale for certain rules. People have found it hard, for example, to fathom why, at a certain point, it was safe to go to a restaurant, where there could be large numbers of people, but not safe for one person to visit a relative in their home. The Chief Environmental Health Officer stated that there was evidence that gatherings in homes presented a greater risk, possibly because business environments are subject to guidance and various measures that make them less risky, whereas behaviour in our homes tends to be more relaxed, and we all know that.”
“He highlighted that the provisions require an organiser to conduct a risk assessment if numbers exceed those specified.”
“In addition, we were advised that the review period for these regulations is 28 days. We discussed the range of purposes for which a gathering may be arranged, subject to certain conditions. On enquiring about what was excluded from the apparently very wide-ranging list of permitted purposes for a gathering, the CEHO advised us that this approach has been taken to confirm what was permissible given the revocation of previous restrictions.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Chief Environmental Health Officer (CEHO) summarised their content and reminded the Committee that the short time frame for bringing the SRs into force resulted from the need to ensure that restrictions are only in place for as long as is strictly necessary. I turn first to the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) Regulations as amended. The Committee had previously acknowledged the complexity of the previous coronavirus restrictions, which had become a lengthy list of exceptions to the general restriction on leaving home. The Committee heard that the newly restructured regulations, as amended, revoke the previous restrictions and provide instead a list of businesses, services and premises that are required to remain closed.”
“Bhreathnaigh an Coiste Sláinte na rialacha reachtúla ar an 10 Meán Fómhair. The Committee considered all five statutory rules on 10 September. There is an unfortunate irony to our discussing today the relaxation of restrictions announced so recently as we are now aware of the changing direction that is required to tackle the current rise in the number of cases. Nevertheless, I think that it is important to put on record the Committee's scrutiny of the regulations under debate. Key issues from compliance to enforcement and communication require consideration whatever the nature and level of restrictions. We hope that discussions to date can inform the forthcoming regulations and their implementation.”
“I thank the Minister for coming in to give us his answers and, in particular, for his comments on rapid learning. Given the bereavements that we have seen, and I extend my condolences to every one of the families impacted, will the Minister outline what specific bereavement support and guidance has been put in place, both for those who have lost loved ones and those who are continuing to experience the impact of the disease and whose loved ones also need support?”
“There are very simple steps that we can build into planning that will allow people to continue to live at home longer and to engage in their community longer. It is important that we try to gather that learning and implement it in such a way that we genuinely have departmental cross-cutting. I recognise that the Minister has not been able to be here today; no doubt, he would have been. While there is a focus on him to lead, all our Executive colleagues should assist with that. I also urge the Minister to consider the issue of carers legislation and to bring it forward as soon as is possible. <BR /> <BR />I support the motion and welcome today's debate and the chance to say, on World Alzheimer’s Day, "Let's talk about dementia".”
“It does that very well, and we need to ensure that it is supported to do that. <BR /> <BR />I am conscious that the 'Power to People' report flagged up the issue of carers' rights and how we need those rights to be put on a statutory basis. Carers should have the right to know what to expect and what they can expect. I am working on putting together an all-party group on carers, and I hope that many of the Members here today will join me in that. It is important that that is an area of focus for the Assembly. It impacts on so many of us, and informal family carers provide a huge amount of care to the system. We need to reciprocate and recognise that and support those carers. <BR /> <BR />There are even cross-cutting planning issues, such as how we plan dementia-friendly towns, cities and streetscapes in future.”
“Sometimes, it can be easier to wrap people up in cotton wool. That gives everyone the comfort of knowing that they are safe, but people may not be able to live their life in as full a way as they did or, indeed, as they are capable of, despite the issues associated with dementia. There are issues there, and we need to look at how we engage with families and support them. <BR /> <BR />Having worked with it in my role as a social worker, I know that the Alzheimer's Society provides fantastic support to a range of people; in fact, it provides bespoke individual family planning sessions that I have found invaluable. One of the things that I discovered as a social worker was that the services are not always there and, often, you have to rely on the community and voluntary sector to provide additional input into cases.”
“They have to negotiate a lot of issues around capacity to make decisions and how to include the person's voice and their wishes in settings in which family members may have different views and the person may have strong views. With all the other pressures, it can be difficult for everyone's voice to be heard and for the issues for that person to be dealt with in a way that reflects everyone's wishes fairly. <BR /> <BR />In my time as an MLA, I have come across some serious issues relating to deprivation of liberty that arise from dementia care. At times, I have also found that the health and social care system can be difficult to navigate for people who are trying to explore the wishes of their loved ones and to retain as much as possible of their normal way of living or way of going on, as we often talk about here.”
“I am delighted to be associated with the motion and to have been asked to be. It is an area of huge importance to all MLAs and our whole society. I also met representatives of the Alzheimer's Society in early February, and I have to say that they impressed me with their level of detail, as they always do. <BR /> <BR />We know that over 14,700 people here live with dementia, and that figure is expected to rise to 20,000. It is an issue that we will have to grapple with. In my previous role as a social worker in the older persons team in the south Tyrone area, I worked with many families who were struggling with the issues that dementia brings and, indeed, the additional pain and worry that people have when they are trying to plan care for their loved ones.”
“In relation to pillar 2, the Minister has acknowledged that there have been difficulties in booking tests. Is he aware that there are increasing difficulties with the return of test results and the time involved in that? That appears to be impacting on children's tests more heavily, which is making more people more anxious and concerned. Is the Minister aware of that? Does he receive information back from the centre on it?”
“I thank the Minister for making the statement today, and I note the cooperation between the Chief Medical Officers, going right back to 14 March. In the light of the fact that we are seeing very worrying increases in the spread of the virus from Dublin to Derry, that we are also seeing the unequal impact that that is having on working-class communities from Ballymun to Ballymena and that we are seeing postcodes affected here in the North that run along the border, to what extent is there effective cooperation between the Executive and the Government in Dublin in relation to COVID-19?”
“The other thing about the broken leg is that you can go and get something done about it when it happens and when you are in pain. That same access to mental health services when you really need them does not exist. Until we create a network of services across the North, we will not be treating mental health issues in parity with physical health.”
“If you have a broken leg, people will come across the street to talk to you, to comfort you and to offer support and advice, whereas if you have a mental health problem, people will often avoid raising the issue or discussing it.”
“The Minister also advised that the review would look at the wider context of crisis support in mental health and consider all available evidence, in addition to evaluating existing services. The issue is closely connected to ongoing challenges at EDs and the review of urgent and emergency care, and the Committee understands that the review will also aim to identify improvements that will reduce the number of people attending emergency departments as a result of a mental health crisis. <BR /> <BR />As I said earlier, the Committee will no doubt keep the matter under review as part of our wider scrutiny of transformation and rebuilding services. <BR /> <BR />During this debate and the earlier one, something struck me.”
“The Minister advised of the further three-month funding package granted and made the case for a multi-agency funding approach, given the benefits to the PSNI from the service. <BR /> <BR />The Committee also requested details on the planned reconfiguration of mental health crisis services as described in action 8.2 of the mental health action plan, including information on the time frame and any scoring system to be used in the review. <BR /> <BR />We were informed that the Chief Medical Officer was leading on the issue and that the proposed time frame was between September and December of this year, with the caveat that, because of the pandemic, it may require an extension.”
“I welcome the opportunity to return to the important issue of the cross-cutting support needed for crisis intervention services that we discussed earlier and wish to update Members on the Committee's consideration of the matter. I thank the Member for securing the debate. <BR /> <BR />At the Committee for Health's meeting on 18 June 2020, it considered correspondence from Extern and the Derry and Strabane Policing and Community Safety Partnership regarding the prospective closure of the crisis intervention service. The Committee welcomed the Minister's statement of 16 June announcing an extension of funding for the service. However, the Committee noted that the extension was short-term only and wrote to the Department to ask whether any consideration had been given to longer-term funding for the service.”
“Thank you, Minister, for coming to the House to answer these questions. Like the Deputy Chair of the Health Committee, I am getting constituents with increasing anxiety around access to GPs, and I know that all MLAs are. My colleague Martina Anderson asked in July what steps were being taken. Can the Minister advise what steps are now in place to improve the situation and to deal with the issue of flu vaccinations, given that the winter months are coming in and given distancing requirements?”
“This project is one of many health transformation projects, and will work properly only if properly funded and co-production applied. <BR /> <BR />I acknowledge the debate taking place later today on the crisis response service in Derry. It is important that we provide services in a way that meets the needs of people, and that are accessible and meaningful. Colin McGrath mentioned the nine weeks, which is, obviously, not even being reached. Nine weeks can seem like a year; nine weeks can be too long. We need to deliver services in an accessible way. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the developments that the Minister of Health has brought in this area and the appointment of a mental health champion, and I welcome the fact that the Executive have made a significant commitment.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Health Committee is very much aware of the range of mental health challenges that we face, and the collaborative inter-departmental and cross-agency working that is required to address them. The Committee hopes to play its part in delivering the change that we need in that respect. <BR /> <BR />I want to touch on the issue of media guidelines, which I think was mentioned. The Samaritans have produced extensive media guidelines in the reporting of suicide. An alarming issue raised its head again this week in reporting sometimes inaccurate figures and engaging on social media in a way that is not helpful. Indeed, it can sometimes be deeply hurtful to the impacted families and those working in the sector day and night with those people, and we should acknowledge their input.”
“The Committee made follow-up enquiries to the Department on the matters raised, including issues outside the Department's immediate remit, such as the availability of broadband, which can have a significant impact on access to services and healthcare, particularly given the current reliance on virtual engagements. <BR /> <BR />Remaining to be scheduled are the Committee's consideration of the mental health action plan and a future mental health strategy. To that end, we intend to engage with the mental health champion. <BR /> <BR />Consideration of mental health care links to the review of urgent and emergency care. The Committee wrote to the Minister recently seeking an update on that work as we know that the pandemic has increased the pressures on emergency services and departments, impacting on crisis response times and capacity.”
“It also highlighted the lack of local content testing services for new street drugs, and the difficulties that that brings, the difficulties for that group to engage virtually, and the challenge of accessing PPE. NIADA warned that its experience, which is substantial, suggested that a rise in substance abuse often accompanied a recession. <BR /> <BR />On a more positive note, we heard of effective support from the Public Health Agency to organisations within NIADA, good partnership working across organisations, and imaginative solutions during the difficult period at the start of COVID, which we welcomed.”
“<BR /> <BR />Mental health issues have continued to be threaded through all the Committee's work, with members raising issues about the percentage share of the budget allocation to this area, and acknowledging the inclusion of perinatal mental health in the action plan. <BR /> <BR />In May, to mark mental health week, the Committee discussed the increased hardship suffered by those with addictions due to COVID-19. The North of Ireland Alcohol and Drugs Alliance (NIADA) advised the Committee of an increase in desperation among substance users, long waiting times for access to opioid substitution treatment, and regional variations in access.”
“<BR /> <BR />While since January most of the Committee's time has been focused on issues arising from the pandemic, rebuilding services as well as the broader transformation agenda, the Committee has raised mental health aspects of the crisis, and mental health is an issue to which it intends to return in detail as soon as possible. <BR /> <BR />One of the Committee's first sessions after being re-established in late January was with Koulla Yiasouma, the Children's Commissioner, in relation to children's mental health. A commitment cancelled due to the pandemic was an informal meeting with the mental health policy group, which we hope to rearrange as soon as we can.”
“I thank the Members for tabling this — cuirim fáilte roimhe seo — important motion and for bringing focus to the challenging area of mental health. I am deeply impressed with the genuine empathy that Members have shown for the issue, and that is to be welcomed. <BR /> <BR />I declare an interest in the sense of my social work career and working in this area, particularly the invaluable training that I received on placement with a home treatment crisis response team. <BR /> <BR />The North's long-term record on mental ill health, high numbers of suicides and low spending on mental health is well-documented and has been considered by the Health Committee. The pandemic has, no doubt, exacerbated mental ill health for many, whether through isolation, bereavement, loss of income or the virus itself and the fear and anxiety that it has created.”
“Creating an anti-racism ethos in schools is key to assimilating black and Asian minority ethnic communities into our society as children alongside their peers. It is important to emphasise that those who are prejudiced and display prejudice are in the minority, but we cannot take that as a reason to be complacent. <BR /> <BR />Finally, I apologise to Members that I did not get round to many of the very fine contributions that were made, but it is fair to say that the House is united in our view that we need to deal with the issue quickly and robustly. I thank the Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities, the African and Caribbean Support Organisation and the North West Migrants Forum, who have contributed to those bringing the debate to the House today. I support the debate and the amendment.”
“Early intervention against racism is key to halting its growth throughout our society. That will have a major impact on our children and young people, as they learn to be open-minded and tolerant, and creates a racism-free future. Both of my lads — in primary and secondary school — regularly talk about their friends who, clearly, come from other countries, and they benefit from that. One of our Members stated the important and relevant fact that no child, instinctively, is racist or bears hatred: that attitude is learned. <BR /> <BR />One of the key components of the Black Lives Matter movement was the need for broader education in schools. That includes a more comprehensive curriculum, including dealing with the skeletons from the colonial era and the long-term effects that that has had on our society globally.”
“<BR /> <BR />The same issue applies to the under-reporting of crime, mentioned by Linda Dillon. We see an under-reporting of crime and a reluctance in some of the communities to come forward and report a crime in the first place. That is something that we absolutely need to tackle. <BR /> <BR />In the years since the Good Friday Agreement was signed, we have progressed into a much more open, accepting and multicultural society. Since the violence ceased, migrants feel safer to come, work and contribute to life here. As a result, our communities benefit from that contribution and the rich diversity that they bring. As Martina highlighted, having more migrant children in schools gives our young people the opportunity to learn about other cultures and languages that they, otherwise, may never learn.”
“However, when discussing those clusters, we rely heavily — indeed, too heavily — on data from elsewhere on these islands. I note the acknowledgement by Gordon Lyons on the data, but I have not seen anything clear to date by way of evidence. It is a huge gap. <BR /> <BR />As Emma pointed out, due to the lack of the implementation of the racial equality strategy, there is little ethnic monitoring in workplaces at present. It would provide us with the information that we need. We are also limited — Gordon Lyons referred to it — in data on how COVID-19 affects black and Asian minority ethnic communities in the North. We are aware of the difficulties that they have faced across the islands, but we do not, to my knowledge, have concrete information and data yet. That is an issue that we must address quickly.”
“We should not allow creeping racial profiling to come in by identifying people solely because of the colour of their skin. <BR /> <BR />A recent Unite survey showed that of the 20% of the workforce at a COVID-19-impacted meat processing plant, 43% were migrants who live with two or more of their colleagues, and 11% live with five or more. An overwhelming majority of them said that they continued to work while sick as they could not afford to lose pay. That shows that we must protect those workers as we protect everyone else. They are in need of additional consideration, given their precarious work and the fact that many of them live in houses of multiple occupancy.”
“<BR /> <BR />However, despite their hard work, many migrant workers are exploited for their labour. They receive a smaller wage than local people for the same job and often work in very precarious conditions. That was evidenced by recent outbreaks at local food-processing factories across these islands, where the workers tend to be majority migrant. As migrants are here on work visas or have insecure status, they are afraid to speak up in case they lose their job. <BR /> <BR />Martina Anderson mentioned racial profiling. That issue has been raised in relation to Black Lives Matter, which Gerry Carroll mentioned, and in relation to transport. There is no requirement for anyone from those areas to produce passports in this country, or across these islands.”
“It is estimated that minority-ethnic enterprises contribute about £16 billion per year to the economy across these islands. <BR /> <BR />In my own constituency, Dungannon is one of the places that has benefited most from immigration. In 2017, Dungannon had the largest proportion of overseas-born residents in the North. Workers come to staff our engineering companies, our meat plants, they add diversity to our schools, and they support businesses in the town. It would do your heart good to walk through Dungannon square on a Friday afternoon and see the wide range and diversity of culture of the young people from across the world, as they interact, banter and engage with one another, and, indeed, wear tops from sports across our whole society. They contribute in so many ways.”
“That narrative is used to create fear in the population that migrants are coming to take our jobs, our benefits and our houses. A load of nonsense. Scapegoating migrants and refugees for British Government failures in service provision and, in some cases, their handling of the COVID-19 pandemic is an age-old stratagem. <BR /> <BR />Throughout the pandemic we have seen that many of our skilled, front-line workers are migrants. We are forever indebted to the work that they have done for us all in our health service, our shops, our factories, our delivery services and in other front-line services. Migrant workers are often recruited to work in places in the North. Therefore it is important to note their crucial contribution to our economy. Immigration provides vital skills to our workforce.”
“I absolutely agree. I referenced South Tyrone and my background in an engineering company. The South Tyrone engineering and food manufacturing sectors are world-leading, but, in the early 1990s and the early 2000s when I was involved in an engineering business in South Tyrone, we were being constrained not by the economy or the lack of ideas or an inability to export but a shortage of skilled workers. People came bringing not only their skills, their diligence and their enthusiasm but their deep, rich culture as well. Our society has benefited massively from that. <BR /> <BR />We see shifts in attitudes, and that needs to be a wake-up call to everyone in the Chamber. Recent, and in my view shameful, media reports have created a false narrative of a migrant invasion, targeted at refugees.”
“In 2017, out of a total of 835,000 workers, 83,000 were born outside these islands. That accounts for 10% of the working population. Despite those relatively low numbers, when respondents in the life and times survey were asked about their attitudes and whether the needs of migrant workers were putting a strain on schools, a worrying number of respondents agreed: 17% strongly agreed, and 28% agreed.”
“Of a total of 1·85 million people living in the North, 3·3% were born in the EU 26 nations, and only 2·6% are from the rest of the world. Moreover, since the EU referendum, international inflows have decreased by 13%, while outflows fell by 7%. That suggests that this problem is linked to the Brexit campaign that dubbed migrants as a problem and led to an increase in racist hate crimes. That is also evident in the very significant shift in attitudes displayed in the North of Ireland life and times surveys between 2013 and 2017.”
“I support the motion, obviously, and the amendment. Colleagues from the across the House have highlighted the important areas that are in urgent need of reform to tackle the institutional and structural racism that is evident in the North. Whilst having these discussions, it is important to close with some reflection on the positive impact that migrants have on our society and to highlight why they deserve better. At this point, I should declare an interest in the sense that — we have heard today from many South Belfast representatives — I represent South Tyrone, and we, too, have a very vibrant and valued ethnic minority community. Indeed, that exists right across Fermanagh and South Tyrone, and Mid Ulster. <BR /> <BR />In 2017, the migrant population of the North comprised 138,000 people — a mere 7·5% of our population.”
“We are all very conscious of the testing difficulties. I am sure that every Member of this House has been receiving representation from constituents about testing difficulties. I am also deeply conscious that we have, unfortunately, recorded another two bereavements as a result of COVID-19. I extend my condolences to the families that have been affected. <BR /> <BR />Minister, you announced recently that you had written to Matt Hancock about testing. Is that the first time that you have formally raised testing issues or problems with your English counterpart? Given the number of people who have been unable to access tests, what is your assessment of the impact that the testing disruption has had on the spread of COVID-19?”
“In light of the ongoing worrying rise in positive COVID cases, and in the context of the necessary restrictions that have had to be put in place, can I ask the Executive to confirm whether the Economy Minister intends to provide updated workplace health and safety guidance in order to mitigate the spread of coronavirus within workplaces?”
“<BR /> <BR />As mentioned earlier, the fact that the learning review has not spoken to some of the key people involved is an absolutely major issue that needs to be addressed by way of a public inquiry. <BR /> <BR />Families have carried this burden and they have fought a lone battle in speaking for their children. I call on and appeal to the Minister: families have waited long enough, please give them the public inquiry that they deserve and the inquiry that the system needs in order to improve learning for the future.”
“There is a difficulty here in responding quickly and effectively to situations, and communicating properly and openly with families in a timely way, so that they are not having to constantly dig out information. They sometimes hear of it in the press — that has happened in Muckamore and that is totally unacceptable. That piece should be able to be dealt with. <BR /> <BR />The findings in ‘A Review of Leadership and Governance at Muckamore Abbey Hospital’ that the Belfast Trust had appropriate governance structures in place, I find absurd. Governance should be about ironing out human frailty. We all recognise that serious abuse has taken place in Muckamore and that serious mistakes have been made. Therefore, to me, the governance failed. We need to establish what happened and what caused that failure.”