Issue 79 - Belfast BT4 • BT5 • BT16
New regional breast cancer assessment
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has announced the launch of a regional approach for red flag breast cancer assessments, a major reform aimed at equalising waits for patients across Northern Ireland including at Ulster Hospital. The new regional system is now live and is designed to address long standing disparities in waiting times and ensure that all patients referred with suspected breast cancer are seen based on clinical need rather than postcode. The initiative reflects the Minister’s broader drive to improve patient outcomes and restore public confidence in diagnostic services. The rollout has been supported by the implementation of the encompass electronic patient record system, now live across all Health and Social Care Trusts. This digital infrastructure enables coordinated appointment booking across the region and improves the use of available capacity. The South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust
Pictured L-R Keith Miller, Assistant VP, Dr Joanne McClean, Director Public Health, Ronnie Armour, Permanent Secretary Department of Education with pupils Jack Towe and Christopher Weir
Local schools are recognised for exceptional pastoral care Ashfield Boys’ High School, Belfast and Donard School, Banbridge have been recognised for exceptional pastoral care at an award ceremony hosted by the Department of Education and the Public Health Agency (PHA). The Derrytrasna Pastoral Care award was created by the Department of Education in partnership with the Public Health Agency (PHA) in 2014. It seeks to recognise through nominations, those school communities that have demonstrated exceptional effort in supporting the pastoral care of pupils and their families.
Education Minister Paul Givan said: “Young people today are facing many challenges and that is why the support provided by our schools can prove vital in helping them deal with the difficulties and hardships of life. Excellent pastoral care is not about the everyday support offered by
schools. It is about a level of care and help that is provided over and above what is expected, and it is important to acknowledge and celebrate such work.” Director of Public Health at the PHA, Dr Joanne McClean, said: “The Public Health Agency is committed to helping support children and young people secure
the best start in life. The provision of quality pastoral care has the potential to improve education and health outcomes for our young people and so can play a role in helping to reduce health inequalities. I commend this year’s winners for their exceptional commitment to pastoral care.”
(SEHSCT) is managing the regional waiting list through a centralised administrative team. While most patients will still attend their local hospital, they may be offered an earlier appointment at one of the following five acute hospital sites: • Altnagelvin Area Hospital (Western HSC Trust) • Antrim Area Hospital (Northern HSC Trust) • Belfast City Hospital (Belfast HSC Trust) • Craigavon Area Hospital (Southern HSC Trust) • Ulster Hospital Dundonald (South Eastern HSC Trust) Patients will continue to be referred and triaged by their home Trust, with those meeting red flag criteria passed to a regional booking team managed by the South Eastern Trust.