Pam Lewis: I welcome the statement today as it will not only provide a service for the people of the north-west but relieve pressures on the east of the Province and ensure that cancer patients receive prompt treatment. Is the Minister aware of the pressures on Antrim Area Hospital? Will he endeavour to address the problem there?
Pam Lewis: I beg to move That this Assembly calls on the Minister of Justice to ensure that addressing domestic violence is a priority for his Department; and that all the agreed processes and protocols in place are focused on protecting those most at risk. I welcome the opportunity to make my maiden speech to the House today, and I thank the people of South Antrim for putting their trust in me in...
Pam Lewis: 9. asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what action his Department is taking to encourage more women to participate in screening programmes for cervical cancer. (AQO 142/11-15)
Pam Lewis: I, too, welcome the Minister to his new role. What is his assessment of the significance of cervical cancer in Northern Ireland?
Pam Lewis: I thank the Minister for his statement on the very serious matter of the dental inquiry. What harm was caused to patients, and what feedback, if any, has been received from patients or their families on the harm that was caused to them, including, for example, psychological effects that were experienced as a result?
Pam Lewis: I also thank the Minister for his statement and for the clarification. When will the new critical care building at the Royal be operational? Does this change impact on those plans? Will there be an impact on Antrim Area Hospital?
Pam Lewis: 7. asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on the work of the ministerial subgroup on children and young people. (AQO 345/11-15)
Pam Lewis: What impact did the additional resources for providing specialist advice through the mortgage debt advice service have on preventing repossessions?
Pam Lewis: I welcome the Minister’s statement and the review of health and social care services. Will additional resources be required to implement the review’s findings?
Pam Lewis: I declare an interest as I sit on the management committee of Antrim citizens advice bureau. I welcome the opportunity to speak about the community and voluntary sector. I am well aware of the importance of the work that organisations in the sector carry out. They play a huge role, and it is one that is underestimated and not often appreciated. I am sure that other Members will mention the...
Pam Lewis: I thank the Minister for his statement. What is the source of funding for Northern Ireland’s participation in the cancer consortium?
Pam Lewis: What is the Minister’s view on the criteria for defining poverty?
Pam Lewis: I thank my colleague Danny Kinahan for raising the issue in the House this evening. I welcome the opportunity to speak on an issue of great concern to many in the South Antrim constituency: the pollution of the Sixmilewater. I declare an interest as a member of Antrim Borough Council. We were all disappointed to hear about the latest pollution incident in the river, which was not an isolated...
Pam Lewis: I support the motion and am grateful for the opportunity to take part in today’s debate. I have no doubt that the entire Assembly is united in understanding the importance of community pharmacies and the extremely valuable work that they do. We know that they are a vital component of healthcare delivery and that they are often the first port of call for people who have ailments or health...
Pam Lewis: I thank the Minister for his statement on this very serious and distressing issue. Can he confirm how many other staff were involved in the abuse and where they are now?
Pam Lewis: I thank the Minister for his statement on dementia services in Northern Ireland. Can anything be done to prevent dementia, and does the strategy deal with that?
Pam Lewis: I support the motion. As we have heard, smoking is the single greatest cause of preventable illness and premature death in Northern Ireland. It kills around 2,300 people each year and places a heavy burden on our health service. Of those 2,300 deaths, around 800 are the result of lung cancer, which is the most common form of cancer for men and women. Smoking also causes coronary heart...
Pam Lewis: I agree with those sentiments; you are absolutely right. I feel that whatever can be done by the House to make smoking in cars, specifically cars carrying children, even more socially unacceptable than it already is for the majority of responsible adults, is a good thing. I reiterate my support for the motion.
Pam Lewis: What progress has been made in developing kinship foster care standards?
Pam Lewis: I thank the Minister for his statement on Connected Health issues. I welcome the use of technology. Anything that improves our health service is good news. Will the Minister outline the potential for Connected Health in the future?
