Latest news with #MikeNesbitt
ITV News
2 days ago
- Health
- ITV News
Thousands of pounds worth of potentially life-threatening tablets seized as part of major operation
In just five months, the police seized 100,000 powerful fake anti-anxiety tablets that can be life-threatening. They are called pregabalin, although on the streets they are known as Belfast buds. The Health Minister, Mike Nesbitt, has described the drug as "widespread in society" and warned that the tablets seized have a "strength of 300mg" but "75mg is the normal dosage". "So even if that is genuine stuff and passes any kind of regulatory test, it's far, far too strong, and it's damaging people's lives up to the point of putting those lives at risk," he said. Hundreds of weight-loss kits, sold on the black market for up to £400, have also also been seized. They were discovered as part of a worldwide operation known as 'Pangea'; the police then carried out follow up searches and interviewed a number of suspects. "You're not just putting money in the pockets of people who are reckless with regard to your health and wellbeing, but also will be using that money to fund other criminal enterprises," warned the Justice Minister. Naomi Long added: "Do not play Russian roulette with your health because that's what you do. You take one of these pills, you do not know what you're taking. "It could be anything from rat droppings to rat poison that's in those tablets, and you're taking that into your body and putting your life at risk. It is not worth the risk." Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know.
BreakingNews.ie
2 days ago
- Health
- BreakingNews.ie
Politicians respond after paedophile GP caught with child abuse images avoids jail
Northern Ireland's Health Minister has said he was content that due process was followed in the handling of a GP convicted of having indecent images of children. Alan Trevor Campbell (40), of Silverbrook Park in Newbuildings, Co Derry, pleaded guilty to 11 offences around possessing indecent images of children on dates between October 2014 and January 2022. Advertisement He was sentenced on Tuesday to 75 hours of community service and given a two-year probation order. The North's Public Prosecution Service said prosecutors are 'carefully considering the sentence to determine whether there is a legal basis to refer them to the Court of Appeal'. On Thursday, Stormont Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said he was 'disappointed by what happened', adding: 'I would have liked something a bit stronger'. 'In terms of the regulations, I am content that we have followed due process and that nothing has been done that affects patients or indeed the other members of that practice,' he said. Advertisement In terms of the sentence, he added: 'I think we also need to think about the message that sends out to society in terms of those who might be thinking about viewing and collecting that sort of image.' Justice Minister Naomi Long said the type of images referenced in the case are taken very seriously. 'When it comes to sentencing, it is a matter for the independent judiciary to set those sentences,' she said. 'I understand the PPS has already indicated that they are now looking at that sentence with a view to finding out whether there are legal grounds on which to appeal it for undue leniency, and as a live case before the PPS and potentially the courts, it wouldn't be appropriate for me as justice minister to express an opinion on what I think of the sentence. Advertisement 'I will say this however, we take images of this nature very seriously. 'The fact that these are non contact offences does not mean that children have not been harmed in their making and their distribution, and it's important to recognise that every image that is used in this context is an image of child abuse, some of these were category A abuse images, and those are the most serious kind. 'We are absolutely united in wanting to safeguard children here, which is our primary responsibility, but also not to turn a blind eye to the abuse of children in other places in order to produce this material for use in Northern Ireland.' Ireland Paedophile sports coach (91) becomes one of the ol... Read More A PPS spokesperson said: 'While sentencing is a matter for the independent judiciary, the Director of Public Prosecutions does have the power to refer certain sentences to the Court of Appeal on the grounds that they may be unduly lenient. Advertisement 'An unduly lenient sentence is one that falls outside the range of sentences that a judge, taking into consideration all relevant factors and having regard to sentencing guidelines, could reasonably consider appropriate. 'The prosecution team, including Counsel, are carefully considering the sentences imposed in this case to determine whether there is a legal basis to refer them to the Court of Appeal.'
BBC News
18-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Belfast maternity hospital delay a 'scandal'
The announcement that the opening of Belfast's new maternity hospital could be delayed is "nothing short of a scandal", according to a member of Stormont's health assembly member Diane Dodds said that it was "10 years too late and double the cost".On Monday Northern Ireland's Health Minister Mike Nesbitt announced that the opening of hospital could be delayed by another 28 months, after ongoing building work problems which include dangerous bacteria found in the water Belfast Trust has said while the delays were frustrating it was vital that water safety issues were addressed before vulnerable patients were cared for. 'People deserve much better' Nesbitt told the assembly he could not "soften the news" and has asked for an external expert to review if the decision taken is the best one and if parts of the hospital, at the Royal Victoria Hospital site, could be opened in the to BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster programme, Dodds said that it had been 15 months since the building had been handed over to the Belfast Trust and "most worryingly of all, the health minister said that none of the options might actually solve the problem".She said that the health minister should "get a grip" of the added that the delay had come at a time when there other problems at the hospital and asked the Health Committee would "this scandal of wasting public money" be within the the remit for "special measures", she said she was told no."I think clearly that the health minister should consider this a matter for special measures."She said that people "deserve much better" and patient safety should be paramount."It is outrageous that we don't know whether it will be 28 months or longer."The responsibility for the failure in relation to this lies squarely with the Belfast Trust," she speaking on the programme, Patricia McKeown from the union UNISON said that she was "cynical by the frustrations of politicians" when it comes to the added that the collapse of devolution for long periods since proposed maternity services should be located in a new hospital on the Royal Hospital site in 1999 had not helped. During last Thursday's health committee, it emerged that the health trust faced three options to try and fix the water included:Ongoing testing of individual water taps across the buildingInstalling a "discreet checking system" for high-risk areas including the neonatal unitPulling out the entire water system, which was described by management as "excessive" The new maternity hospital, which is based in the grounds of the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, is already 10 years behind schedule and has cost £97m so present management has chosen the second option which they said was the "safest" way to proceed as vulnerable babies would be protected. The trust took possession of the five-storey building in March 2024 and began a "clinical commissioning phase" - a process of ensuring a safe transition of service to the new a few months later in July, the trust said that during testing of water outlets, high levels of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were discovered in the water infection killed three babies at Belfast's Royal Jubilee Hospital in infection does not usually affect healthy people but infants and people with weakened immune systems are vulnerable. A spokesperson for the Belfast Trust said the significant delays were "deeply" frustrating for everyone involved in the project, but it was vital the water safety issues were addressed before vulnerable patients were cared added that their proposed solution to the problem was arrived at after a review of all "available information regarding the water systems within the new Maternity Hospital"."The work included in the preferred option will take, in total, 24 months and then four months to move staff, patients, and services into the new hospital."
The Independent
13-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Health Minister and professional bodies give support to international colleagues
Stormont Health Minister Mike Nesbitt and the heads of professional bodies have voiced their support for international colleagues in Northern Ireland. It comes after a week of scenes of disorder, mainly in Ballymena following an alleged sexual assault at the weekend in the Co Antrim town, and attacks on homes. Mr Nesbitt said actions in recent days will have left some health and social care workers feeling frightened and vulnerable. 'It is well accepted within health and social care (HSC) that without our international colleagues, the health service would collapse,' he said. 'The international recruits who arrive to work here across our HSC system provide an immensely valuable contribution to the delivery of health and social care services, and enrich our communities with their diversity.' He added: 'I have had the privilege of meeting healthcare staff right across Northern Ireland, including many of our internationally-recruited colleagues who have brought their skills, experience and expertise to our health service. 'They are greatly needed, very much appreciated and highly valued. They are deeply welcome here and their health, safety and wellbeing are of paramount importance. ' People should be entitled to live in peace, free from harm and intimidation, and I stand against this reprehensible, racist and xenophobic behaviour.' In a joint statement, the chief professional officers, including chief medical officer Sir Michael McBride, said the 'appalling and violent scenes of recent days are nothing short of shameful'. 'That people should be targeted and threatened simply because of their ethnicity, skin colour or cultural background is utterly despicable,' they said. 'That they should be intimidated out of their own homes is vile. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect and to live in a safe environment free from harm and intimidation. 'We know there will be many of our international colleagues within the committed and dedicated health and social care and independent sector workforce who will be distressed by what has unfolded. 'But please know this: You are welcome, you are deeply valued and you have our full support. We are the better for your presence here.' The statement, also signed by the chief nursing officer Maria McIlgorm, chief social worker Aine Morrison, chief pharmaceutical officer Cathy Harrison, chief scientific adviser Ian Young, chief allied health professions officer Michelle Tennyson and chief dental officer Caroline Lappin, also urged reaching out. 'At this time, it is important that each one of us reaches out to provide comfort and support to our friends and colleagues who have come here from outside of Northern Ireland,' they said. 'The hugely valuable contribution that our diverse internationally educated and recruited colleagues and friends make to our health and social care service is very well recognised. 'They go out to work each and every day, serving our communities with professionalism, dignity, kindness and compassion. 'We stand with them and condemn, in the strongest possible terms, these blatant acts of racist thuggery.'
The Independent
10-06-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Ballymena violence highlights need for more PSNI funding
Violence in Ballymena underscores the need for additional funding for the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), DUP leader Gavin Robinson has said. Political representatives have appealed to those behind racially motivated violence in Co Antrim to stop. Northern Ireland's Health Minister Mike Nesbitt visited homes in Clonavon Terrace in Ballymena which were targeted during disturbances on Monday night. Stormont's Justice Minister Naomi Long also condemned the disorder which saw 15 police officers hurt. North Antrim MP Jim Allister said the scenes were distressing but added that tensions over immigration had been building in the area. Mr Robinson said everyone would be appalled at the scenes. He added: 'Once again when there is disorder, it is the PSNI who are on the front line attempting to protect lives and property. 'The chief constable has been frank in his assessment of the funding pressures facing the PSNI, and I have been resolute in my support for his call for additional resources. 'The chief constable has previously taken his concerns directly to the Prime Minister and it is incumbent upon the Government to ensure the PSNI can protect the people of Northern Ireland.' Mr Robinson said the 'chronic underfunding' of the police service in Northern Ireland has 'real world consequences'. Mr Nesbitt said: 'It is a well-established fact within health and social care that without our international colleagues the entire system would collapse, so I want to stand in the first case in solidarity with colleagues from around the world who are working here. 'I understand people have concerns about immigration. There are legitimate ways to express those concerns – last night was not one of them. 'I stand also in solidarity with the blue lights, particularly the fire and rescue service who had to deal with four house fires. 'Every house fire represents a serious risk to those firefighters. 'I would appeal to people to stop. It should not have started in the first place. 'It is wrong. If you have concerns talk to your politicians.' Mr Allister pointed out that the violence followed an earlier peaceful protest in support of the family of a young girl who was the victim of an alleged sex attack in Ballymena at the weekend. He said: 'It is very distressing to see scenes of violence on the streets of Ballymena.' He added: 'It is easier to start than to stop these things. There has been a bit of authorities not wanting to face up to the racial background of some of this over the years. 'That unchecked migration which is beyond what the town can cope with, is a source of past and future tensions, that is the reality of it.' 'Those who came onto the street last night in the main had a perfectly legitimate purpose and cause of being there.' Mr Allister said he had spoken to the family of the girl who was the victim of the alleged sexual assault and that they did not want to see violent scenes. He said: 'Sadly, the narrative has been diverted, and it has been diverted by those who wrongly and foolishly involved in violence and made the story something than what it otherwise should be. 'My message is the violence should stop. The concerns are there, I am certainly aware of them, I hear them and there needs now to be a period of calm and justice needs to take its course.' Ms Long said residents had been 'terrorised' and properties damaged. She said: 'There is absolutely no place in our society for such disorder and there can be no justification for it. 'I would appeal to those involved to seriously consider their actions and step back from this behaviour before someone is seriously injured or worse. 'Attacking homes and police officers serves no purpose other than to damage communities and raise tensions. Those involved will be pursued and held accountable for their actions. 'I have conveyed to the PSNI my best wishes to the injured officers for a speedy recovery. 'I am also calling on community and political leaders and all those with influence to condemn this violence and work with the police and community to quell any further disorder or violence.'
