Health Minister apologises for distress caused by postponement of cancer procedures

DUP MPs have faced criticism for failing to vote at Westminster in favour of extending free school meal provision to children in other parts of the UK.

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Subscribe              Oct 23, 2020           Dear reader,   The Health Minister Robin Swann has issued an apology to the patients who have had urgent cancer surgeries postponed by the Belfast Trust.    It was announced on Thursday night that at least 100 planned surgeries have been called off by the trust, with the charity Action Cancer leading the criticism of the announcement and calling for clarity from the Department of Health.    Mr Swann addressed the situation in a statement released by the Executive Office on Friday, insisting he would be asking for the procedures to be rescheduled urgently.   However, Mr Swann is facing criticism himself, with DUP MP Carla Lockhart claiming there "has been a failure to adequately plan for the continuation of cancer care" and Sinn Fein chairman of the Stormont health committee Colum Gildernew labelling the situation "unacceptable".    Meanwhile, it was confirmed that another five people, three women and two men, have died with Covid-19 in Northern Ireland.    Three of the five deceased were aged between 60 and 79 with the other person aged over 80. There were also 1,252 new infections recorded in the last 24 hours.   I hope you enjoy your weekend.   Alistair Bushe, Editor Want total access to all of our online content? You can subscribe to our website, newsletter.co.uk for just £1 a month for 3 months - and it couldn't be easier. Signing up will get you faster-loading articles, fewer adverts and access to exclusive content and events when we run them. To learn more, visit our Subscriptions page here.           Seven DUP MPs under fire after failing to vote for free school meals proposal backed by Marcus Rashford           DUP MPs have faced criticism for failing to vote at Westminster in favour of extending free school meal provision to children in other parts of the UK.                 Check out our LIVE BLOG for the latest Coronavirus news   Five people have died and 1,252 new Covid-19 infections have been detected in Northern Ireland in the last 24 hours.           Act of Remembrance for those who died before and during pandemic   A special Act of Remembrance has been organised to remember those who have died before or during this COVID-19 pandemic.           Whiteabbey Hospital's Nightingale facility to open next month   A new Nightingale facility is scheduled to open at Whiteabbey Hospital next month, it has been confirmed.           Family who lost mother to virus 'dismayed' at lockdown debate   A family who lost their mother to Covid over the weekend was "incredulous and dismayed" to see debate rage about lockdown as their loved one fought to stay alive, an MLA has said.           Covid hasn't stopped the need for more foster carers in Northern Ireland   HSC Northern Ireland Foster Care still needs foster carers during the Covid-19 pandemic.                 View more on Coronavirus

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