Missing votes in Assembly today as at home with family. Oldest (7) had a stay at the Children's this weekend so still recuperating, but all is ok.

We had amazing treatment from staff at Belfast Trust Children's hospital. Making kids feel at ease so everything isn't so scary ♥️

This is a welcome step for GPs. Our primary care services in NI need investment to stabilise and meet the demands of a growing and ageing population, people who are waiting longer and getting sicker as they do so.

I continue to be extremely concerned at the handling of Katie Simpson’s death and the initial decision to treat it as a suicide.

I have met with the Chief Constable and will continue to work on this. In Katie’s memory, we must ensure nothing like this can happen again.

I raised my concerns at the investigation into Katie Simpson's murder with the Chief Constable at Policing Board yesterday 👇

I understand this was not an easy decision to make. Junior doctors go into medicine to practise medicine, to save lives and continuously build on their skills in order to do so.

When the system is broken, burnout is on the rise and more JDs leave, it is clear we need change.

At the public session of the NI Policing Board this morning I will be asking Qs around the investigation into Katie Simpson's murder.

There is huge public interest to ensure a policing response is sufficient & that no officer, no matter the rank is above being held accountable.

This issue will not be over without serious answers and accountability.

Katie's legacy must be that changes are made so this will never happen again.

I've been dealing with this issue for a while, with the Health Minister, the RQIA and the COPNI office.

I think there is a wider issue of the care of older people & it is so vital we shine a light on how we can ensure best treatment and care for residents in these homes.

We have been made aware of a potential emerging issue regarding applications to specific schools in North Belfast.

We are contacting the EA urgently to get to the bottom of this, but please reach out if you think you have been affected.

Today is a big day for parents and children across North Belfast!!

If anyone needs any support with their placements, please give my office a shout:

📧 [email protected]
📞 028 9590 7201

This is not surprising given the trajectory of the workforce in our NHS over the past decade.

We need proper pay and working conditions with incentives right across the NHS to retain and recruit staff. We also need more Consultant positions funded across many specialities.

Glad the Alliance Party motion on RSE passed.

Not surprised by the toxic online 'debate' but I did expect more of elected MLAs to put safeguarding of children first.

Thanks Kate Nicholl for proposing & Eóin Tennyson MLA for sharing his experience- an example of how RSE has failed

Very interesting how many of those opposing our motion on RSE would not allow interventions from Alliance. Almost as though they know their arguments don’t stand up against the recommendations of CLC, NDPCC, NICCY, CEDAW, Gillen Review, NIHRC, Family Mediation NI, Positive Life..

The DUP’s “let kids be kids” campaign is a disgusting dog-whistle to the far-right.

Information is power. Access to comprehensive, factual & age-appropriate RSE is the best defence our young people have against abuse and coercion - be it in childhood or later in life.

I will be speaking to this motion on Monday because I believe that all children deserve to grow up with inclusive, factual RSE.

I met with Radius Housing staff at Clifton House today to get a progress update on issues raised with me by residents.

Glad to hear that communication between Radius and residents has improved. Still plenty of work to be done, but good to see things starting to progress!

ICYMI - in response to my question, DfI have confirmed parking enforcement plans for the Antrim Road bus lanes ahead of the Glider expansion 👇

The new route presents a great opportunity for North Belfast, we need to make the most of it - including extending into Glengormley!

Today's Cttee was crucial highlighting the pressures on the workforce. We need an urgent change of direction.

I've asked dept of health about engagement with stakeholders on the future hospital blueprint and yet still we have confirmation from The Royal College of Surgeons of England they're not even consulted

Great to join RCGPNI for the launch of their workforce retention strategy.

This is the second report in the space of a month illustrating the challenges facing GPs - look forward to working with RCGP to ensure the Health Minister takes action against this deepening crisis.

Health reps acknowledge huge value of general practice for patients and staggered by the NIAO revelation that general practice receives just 5.4% of health budget