At the end of last term in the NI Assembly, the previous health Minister Michael McGimpsey was under much pressure in not supporting the cancer unit at Altnagelvin. However, the new health Minister has quickly overturned this decision, and now local health campaigners in the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust area will be watching that space to see if Minister Poots intervenes in the decision by the SEHSCT to operate the Downe A&E without middle-grade doctors in the night shift from 10pm to 8am daily. Mr Poots said in making this much welcomed decision, “Making a decision on the proposed radiotherapy unit at Altnagelvin was my first priority as Health Minister. It was vital that I took the time to look at all the evidence properly to reach the right decision for the right reasons. I have now thoroughly reviewed all the relevant information and I have decided to make the necessary funding – both current and capital – available. This amounts to £56million being made available to build the unit and an estimated additional £9million being made available over current service provision for running costs.” Earlier he told the Assembly, “Upon my appointment, I began to consider all aspects of this proposal. On my second day, I visited Altnagelvin to hear from staff and patients. This gave me a clearer understanding of the very real and human impact of this decision. “We must never be complacent about cancer. We must do all we can to respond to the challenge of this illness. And it is a challenge both in terms of the resources required to combat it and in terms of the sheer number of people affected. “Radiotherapy is one of the most effective means of beating cancer. Whilst the cancer centre at Belfast City hospital was designed to provide sufficient radiotherapy capacity for Northern Ireland up to 2015, we need to act now to ensure that the Altnagelvin Unit proceeds as planned. Delivery of this project is a high priority and it is anticipated that construction of the new centre will be completed by 2015 and the facility will be available in early 2016.” Mr Poots told the Assembly that there are 8,500 new cases of cancer are diagnosed each year in Northern Ireland but with an ageing population, this number is likely to increase. He added, “The establishment of this new facility in Londonderry will mean that 90% of patients in Northern Ireland will be within one hour of a radiotherapy service. This will greatly ease the burden of travel on ill and frail patients.” Mr Poots confirmed that the authorities in the Republic of Ireland have given firm assurances that they will fully fund their share of the costs. The MInister has hit the ground running and local Down campaigners will be interested to see if he can continue his momentum.]]>

MANY schools around Co Down are getting involved in environmentally-friendly green projects and a recent one in Donaghadee has opened up a ‘can of worms’.

Pupils at Donaghadee Primary School were presented with a brand new wormery in recognition of their commitment to reducing and re-using waste from Ards Borough Council. Worms will now be munching away on the school’s kitchen and garden waste, turning, eating up to their own body weight in food every day, and producing compost for pupils to use in their garden.

Donaghadee Primary has already introduced a comprehensive environmental programme, using blue bins to recycle paper, cardboard, tins and plastic bottles, monitoring electricity usage, while also developing outdoor learning by planting herbs and vegetables, a willow arch, trees, and creating a log pile to attract insects and other wildlife.

The introduction of the wormery also coincides with Northern Ireland Composting Week which runs until 30th May, helping to highlight how simple it can be to turn waste into something to be re-used in gardens, pots and planters and all at no cost, as Clive Catterson, Waste Awareness Officer with the Council, explained:

“Wormeries are hygienic and odourless, take up very little space, are very popular with children and ideally suited for the school environment, and together with home composting bins can make a real difference to the amount of garden and organic food waste which is diverted away from landfill sites,” said Mr Catterson. “Donaghadee Primary has been working extremely hard to recycle and re-use as much of its waste as possible and the wormery will assist further, as well as being a great educational tool. I would encourage other schools in Ards to consider a similar project and am on hand to offer advice and assistance”.

If you would like to know more about home composting, log on to www.rethinkwasteni.org or contact Clive Catterson, Waste Awareness Officer at Ards Borough Council, Tel: 028 9182 4024.

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BUZZERS and dry sedges are the favourite flies at the minute on both lakes at Islandderry Fishery, Dromore.

Newcastle men James Simpson and Darren Jackson were both fishing Black Buzzers on the Main Lake recently and released a total of 43 trout between them while Raymond Maguire from Kilkeel was fishing the Hollow Springs Lake on Tuesday past to release 9 and then returned on Thursday with his son Simon to release a further 9 trout on nymphs while Simon himself was fishing Black Lure to release 4 trout.

Some nice trout are being released at the minute on the Main Lake with Belfast man Sean Gibson landing a lovely fish for 9lb while Lisburn angler John Thompson was fishing dries to release 10 trout on the Main Lake in 2 hours all of which weighing in between 3lb and 10lb.

The evening fishing is proving to be good with Gareth Williamson and Bryan Belsham, Lisburn, using the strong winds to their advantage for drifting and fishing Dabblers and Green Peters to rise a large number of trout and landing around 25 between them.

The next competition will be the annual All Night Fly Fishing Competition & BBQ on both lakes on Saturday 18th June from 7pm to 7am.xa0 There will also be a Summer Mini-League on both lakes starting on 2nd July.

For more information on any of the competition or to book a place contact the fishery on 07859 074424 or visit www.islandderryfisheryandtackle.co.uk

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SOUTH Down Ulster Unionist Party Deputy Leader John McCallister MLA said he was honoured to attend an event in Dublin last week as part the Queen’s historic visit. Mr McCallister joined other political representatives and guests for the wreath laying at Island Bridge during the Monarch’s first visit to the Republic of Ireland. He said, “Who would have thought just a few years ago that this visit would ever have happened. It shows how far we have come, and I was delighted to share in this momentous occasion. “The sacrifice made by Irishmen during the First World War is one that cannot be forgotten by either nation.xa0 The battles that took place in France are a big part of our shared history and it was heartening to see that the Republic of Ireland has finally begun to recognise the sacrifices made by those men.” Mr McCallister added, “I believe that this trip can mark a new era in the relationship between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.xa0 Given our economic, political and cultural links with the Republic, the normalisation of the relationship between the two states is important for future prosperity of Northern Ireland.”