Bradshaw calls for UK Government to meet international obligations on abortion access and violence against women in Northern Ireland

South Belfast MLA Paula Bradshaw has said the case for action by the Secretary of State to enable access to abortion for women in Northern Ireland is unanswerable. Ms Bradshaw was speaking after the publication of the concluding observations on the eighth periodic report of the UK from the Convention on the Elimination of all […]

Cancer strategy development welcome but long overdue, says Bradshaw

Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has welcomed the announcement a new cancer strategy for Northern Ireland is to be commissioned but added it is long overdue. Cancer charities and health officials have been told by the Department of Health to plan for the strategy, which will identify new ways of to advance cancer care. […]

Bradshaw demands Secretary of State guidance on cancer treatment contingency plans

Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has demanded the Secretary of State publish detailed guidance on contingency plans for the treatment of cancer after March 29. The Royal College of Radiologists has said hospitals will likely experience delays to cancer testing and treatment, with possible delays for some drugs used to detect cancer if there […]

Responsibility for tackling alcohol and drugs-related deaths cannot be shirked, says Bradshaw

Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has said figures showing drug-related deaths among males here have almost doubled in the past decade show the need to prioritise mental well-being services and to reallocate resources to therapeutic and counselling services. The South Belfast MLA was speaking after statistics by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency […]

Bradshaw calls on PHA to launch new cervical screening campaign

Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has called on the Public Health Agency to launch a new, targeted campaign to encourage younger women in particular to go for cervical screening. The South Belfast MLA was speaking after news there had been a drop in the uptake of the tests among women here aged 25-29. “It […]

Bradshaw says concern understandable after smear test news

Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has said there will be understandable concern after 86 women were asked to contact their GP to rearrange cervical smear tests. The Western Trust said it had reviewed cases screened and reported at its pathology laboratory between April 2018 – June 2018. Of the 86 women affected, 61 of […]

Resilience must be central to children’s upbringing to promote mental well-being, says Bradshaw

Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has cautioned further inaction is not an option after a report showed young people feel social media creates an overwhelming pressure to succeed, while comparing their lives to others on the platforms makes them feel inadequate. The Prince’s Trust eBay Youth Index report for Children’s Mental Health Week showed […]

Warning over Brexit impact on cross-border surgery cannot be ignored, says Bradshaw

Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has said a warning over the impact of Brexit to vital cross-border and other surgery cannot be ignored. She was speaking after paediatric cardiologist Dr Brian Craig said a no deal Brexit could “risk the ability to transfer children smoothly” between Belfast and Dublin for treatment of congenital heart […]

Paramedics latest victims of DUP and Sinn Féin intransigence, says Bradshaw

Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has said paramedics performing a vital role are the latest victims of DUP and Sinn Féin intransigence, leaving them “out of pocket”. The South Belfast MLA said paramedics here, in line with those across the UK, have taken on increased responsibilities but unlike elsewhere, their pay band had not […]

Dickson says restriction of Bill disgraceful

Stewart Dickson MLA has said a move to restrict the scope of a Bill potentially reforming abortion law in Northern Ireland to appease the DUP is “disgraceful”. Labour MP Stella Creasy had intended to bring an amendment to the draft Domestic Abuse Bill but said its scope had been restricted, which then prevented her bringing […]