Pam Cameron: First, I express my condolences to those who lost loved ones in recent weeks as the result of COVID-19. While society continues to embrace a return to normality, it is important to remember that there are those who mourn and for whom that return to normality will be more difficult, having suffered loss. Furthermore, it is worth reiterating our support for front-line healthcare workers who...
Pam Cameron: I wish to speak briefly on the concerning third review, published today, of how government is progressing the Commissioner for Children and Young People's 2018 'Still Waiting' report, which made recommendations to improve mental health support and services for young people. It is not an exaggeration to say that we are facing a mental health pandemic. Figures from the review show that...
Pam Cameron: I thank the Minister of Justice for her statement. Will she give us more clarity on paragraph 2.10 of the report around the fitness for adjudication and the point that South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust staff would no longer fit prisoners for adjudication?
Pam Cameron: I thank the Minister for his welcome announcement in his answer to Kellie Armstrong's question. Pre pandemic, families had to wait some time before receiving a respite care package. That waiting list for support is undoubtedly growing. What steps is the Minister taking to ensure that, once respite services have been properly restored, they will have the capacity to meet the increased demand?
Pam Cameron: I thank the Minister for giving way on that point. He helpfully clarified, in an intervention on my colleague's speech, that, should the amendment (No. 8) regulations be voted down, another amendment would be needed to deal with the other issues. Is it not possible to deal with the other issues separately so that we do not enforce the removal of the "severe distress" element of the exemption...
Pam Cameron: I will speak on the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 20) Regulations and the amendment (No. 21) regulations. I will say less about amendment No. 20. We have already heard from the Minister and the Committee Chair on that, and the Department has advised that none of the technical changes in that amendment offer any substantive...
Pam Cameron: I thank the Finance Minister for his statement. The Health Committee recently heard that the Department of Health has had to examine additional ways of outsourcing fertility treatment to independent providers. Meanwhile, the delivery of the IVF NDNA commitment seemingly lies dormant. Has the Minister had any discussions with the Health Minister about bids for the funding needed to deliver...
Pam Cameron: Throughout the public health crisis, care homes across Northern Ireland have faced significant challenges as they have aimed to keep those who are in their homes safe and well. Our communities are full of examples of staff going above and beyond to protect residents, with some even moving into these settings full-time. The problems witnessed at the start of the pandemic with the supply of...
Pam Cameron: More women, per capita, are murdered in Northern Ireland as a result of domestic violence than in any other part of western Europe. That incredibly stark figure was provided recently by Women's Aid. White Ribbon NI was formed recently, and the Assembly has supported the organisation by signing the White Ribbon charter. The organisation asks us all to pledge never to commit, condone or remain...
Pam Cameron: I thank the Member, my party colleague Christopher Stalford, for sponsoring the Bill through the Assembly. I also thank the now First Minister, Paul Givan, who introduced the Bill in the House. While Mr Stalford is sponsoring the Bill today, I am sure that he agrees with me that it is impossible to consider the legislation without acknowledging the contribution of Heidi Crowter and her...
Pam Cameron: I will not give way, thank you. Listen to the words of Rachel Mewes, who said: "I was pressured to consider [to] have a late term abortion at 7 months pregnant. I had previously stated repeatedly that I would never terminate for Down's Syndrome. I have PTSD as a result of this experience. Being forced to imagine someone killing Betsy near destroyed me". These are stories that should never...
Pam Cameron: I will not, thank you. They state: "Some parents whose babies have been identified as having a higher chance of Down’s syndrome, Edwards’ syndrome or Patau’s syndrome, and who have decided to continue with the pregnancy, have reported being asked repeatedly if they want further diagnostic tests or an abortion. They report having their decisions challenged and being pressured into...
Pam Cameron: The Health Minister will know that, since the start of the pandemic, I have offered him my support in his efforts to combat the threat posed by COVID-19. At times, I have had concerns about what he has sought to do. I have wrestled with some of the regulations and the timing of their tabling. I have listened to the concerns of constituents, whether they were business owners, the sons or...
Pam Cameron: I will not take interventions, if you do not mind. How it has been handled has caused confusion and mixed messaging. From the inception of his proposal, the Minister pursued a maximalist approach. He wanted the small, family-owned coffee shop to be subject to the restrictions and the draconian fines that were being proposed as much as the nightclub. In doing so, he alienated so many people...
Pam Cameron: I thank the Finance Minister for his statement to the House. I note that he talked about the importance of the Health Minister when it comes to the ability to provide more detail in how the uplift in health funding will be used as part of the draft Budget consultation. Would it not have been more appropriate and transparent for that plan to have been brought to the Executive and agreed prior...
Pam Cameron: T7. Mrs Cameron asked the Minister for the Economy for an update on the preparations for the holiday at home voucher scheme. (AQT 1867/17-22)
Pam Cameron: I thank the Minister for his answer, although it was very disappointing. What more can be done by the Minister's Department to ensure that support goes to smaller businesses in the tourism industry, such as B&Bs, now that the scheme will not go ahead?
Pam Cameron: I support all three motions: that on the draft Smoke-Free (Private Vehicles) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021; that on the draft Nicotine Inhaling Products (Age of Sale and Proxy Purchasing) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021; and that on the draft Tobacco Retailer (Fixed Penalty) (Amount) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021. Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK and...
Pam Cameron: I will highlight an issue of great concern that will affect the vast majority of pharmacies and hundreds if not thousands of people should resolution not be found. According to Community Pharmacy NI, around 37,000 patients in Northern Ireland currently receive the service of weekly medicine dose trays and other similar adherence devices. Those trays, which are sorted by pharmacy staff every...
Pam Cameron: I thank the Minister for his statement to the House on this important issue. It is important that we do not cause undue panic about the new variant. We do not yet know, however, what the impact of the omicron variant is, so it is vital that the PHA be vigilant in tracking and tracing and in gathering information that can be acted on, if and when required and as soon as possible. Given the...
