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Mr President, Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen.

Can I say a very big thank you to our panellists here this afternoon who have given us much to think about on the back of their own personal experiences with the National Health Service. To Brian, Patricia, Paula and Mary my sincere thanks and appreciation for giving up your time.

And a special word of thanks to Robert Coulter who chaired the session. Robert is our spokesperson on health matters at Stormont and together with John Mc Callister our Party voice is always heard at the Health committee and in the chamber during the many health related debates. As Minister, I want to thank them for their support.

As we have been hearing the National Health Service has come a long way since its inception in 1948. Sixty years ago times were very different. Our country was emerging from six years of world war and had just elected a new government. The concept of a national health service free at the point of delivery to all may have been viewed as a bold step at the time but one we give thanks for today.

So whilst a Labour Government may have been responsible for one of the greatest political achievements in the twentieth century, let’s not forget that our Party, the Ulster Unionist Party, played a key role in creating the National Health Service in Northern Ireland. It was William Grant MP who was the first Minister for Health in Northern Ireland and over the last sixty years many other people, including William Morgan and William Craig followed in his footsteps. Today, I stand here as the Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety – a position I am very honoured to hold. I have greatly enjoyed the last five months in office. There have been many challenges but we are already making a real difference.

In June, I confirmed the siting of the new acute hospital for the South West in Enniskillen which will be open in 2011. I also confirmed that a new enhanced local hospital will be built in Omagh and open in 2012. Now I recognise that there has been concern around Omagh over the future of health services in the town so to avoid any confusion let me reiterate my commitment that there will be a 24 hour Doctor led Urgent Care and Treatment Centre at the Tyrone County Hospital. I am also confident that in the near future further investment will be made in the Ambulance service in the west and I look forward to the conclusion of the consultation on the possibility of a midwife led maternity unit in Omagh.

Both of these hospitals represent a £450m investment in the South West but I am prepared to venture outside of my ministerial health portfolio. While I may not be in charge of roads, I have a vested interest in ensuring that patients have adequate access to both new hospitals so I will be liaising closely with Executive colleagues to ensure much needed improvements in the South West roads.

Mr President, within the first few weeks of taking office a number of issues landed on my desk which had the potential to cause problems.

Following negotiations I was delighted to be able to award the pay uplift to our Nurses and I want to thank those people who worked with me, including the Royal Colleges and the Trade Unions, to deliver this successful outcome. In listening to these bodies I also gave an undertaking that I would look at the Agenda for Change process and today I can state that all grades will be matched by December of this year with all pay uplifts being met by March of next year.

Mr President, Junior Doctors are the backbone of our acute health service and it became clear early on that there were real problems around recruitment issues. Thankfully on 1 August, through appropriate planning we were able to overcome these hurdles and made sure that virtually all places were filled., thus avoiding the predicted crisis within our hospitals.

However I wanted to ensure that such scenarios would not be repeated locally in the future. I asked Professor Randal Hayes to review the process for Northern Ireland and I am indebted to him and his team for reporting back to me so swiftly with excellent recommendations which I have already set in motion to implement.

Undoubtedly one of the biggest challenges that I have faced has been in the area of mental health. Frankly I have been appalled by the lack of investment over many years but heartened by the dedication of so many people who work at the front face of mental health. I am committed to seeing the full implementation of the Bamford review but if we are serious about meeting the need then we need the money. I am grateful to Executive colleagues for working with me but I say to the Minister for Finance that paltry sums for mental health in the comprehensive spending review are indefensible.

This issue has been forgotten about for too long. I am not prepared to countenance that any longer.

So I have established the board of experts under Professor Roy Mc Clelland who will champion mental health and learning disability issues. One of their first actions has been to look at the area of suicide.

Last year alone there was a 36% increase in the number of people who took their own lives and I know, having met with bereaved families just what an impact suicide can have upon so many families and communities. So I want to see adequate resources being directed towards suicide prevention. Already, through a range of initiatives we have hit the ground running. Numerous engagements and meetings with a range of interested parties have been held including significant engagement with representatives from the internet providers. There will be a region wide telephone helpline across Northern Ireland in addition to a further 350 GP’s undertaking awareness training before January 2008. A public information campaign has been launched and I have commenced an engagement process with the media to ensure sensible reporting continues.

Mr President, no member of the health service should have to endure abuse or the possibility of assault. In July, I launched the Zero Tolerance campaign against staff and I am considering introducing similar legislation to that which exists in Scotland to deter attacks on emergency staff and have asked for assaults on Health Care Workers to be included in the Criminal Justice Bill which is soon to go through Westminster. Let me be clear anyone who assaults a member of staff will be treated within the full rigours of the law.

And in dentistry I announced earlier this month that I was investing £4.4m to help in resourcing overhead costs, purchase new equipment and to assist Boards by plugging the gap through the growth of the salaried dentist sector.

So whilst we’ve hit the ground running there is much more still to be done.

My overriding principle at all times will be ensuring that we put patients first.

And this principle will be at the core of my deliberations around the Review of Public Administration.

On my first day in office, I was presented with a plan for the future of our health service in Northern Ireland that had been dreamt up by Direct Rule Ministers to suit Direct Rule Ministers. Upon initial reading I had concerns and so I have spent the last five months looking at the plans in depth.

As you will be aware I recently wrote to all staff informing them that it was highly unlikely that any further structural changes would be completed before April 2009.

I make no apology for taking a little extra time.

Peter Hain and the direct rule administration took five years to come to a conclusion. I have been in office five months. It is imperative that we get the new structure correct for everyone.

In planning for the future I will be focusing around three core functions; stringent performance management; sound financial control; and commissioning. And I have no hesitation in saying that I want to see much more input in the new structures from local representatives too.

We have to remember that we are a small nation but one that has growing health needs. Whilst spending in Northern Ireland per head is higher on health care, our need is greater compared to Great Britain. This fact has been in my mind over recent days as the budget has been dominating the news.

So let me say a few words regarding health care spending.

Let me be clear I have agreed a draft budget as the basis for consultation with the Assembly and the general public. I have not agreed a final budget.

So despite the spin and hype that has been emanating from Stormont Castle and some naive comments from DUP representatives, the reality is that for health the current proposals represent a standstill budget, particularly in years one and two that barely allows a creep forward in terms of new or improved services. The draft budget proposals as currently presented will do nothing to help in driving down waiting lists further. And frankly, people deserve better.

Yes, it is correct to state that health has received an extra £450m but our inescapable costs such as salaries and the rising costs of drugs have risen to approximately £700m. Our population is growing and we are living longer. Consequently our Health Service is treating more people. So dabbling with the health service budget in a manner akin to Thatcherism is a dangerous step.

We are no different to our fellow citizens in Great Britain. We pay our national insurance contributions and are entitled to the same levels of treatment. Yet healthcare spending in Northern Ireland has been behind England and will be even further behind if the current draft proposals are anything to go by. This is a grave injustice and equality issue. We should not be treated as second class citizens within the Kingdom.

So as we reach the consultation phase, I want to hear the views of those in the front line and on the ground within the health service including the patients. These are the people who face reality on a day and daily basis.

The service has already contributed £140m efficiency savings and we will meet our target of a further £340m in efficiency savings over the next three years.

Undoubtedly there have been significant improvements in healthcare in Northern Ireland over the last five years but such advances will not continue if we are not prepared to invest.

I want to see further investment in screening for Bowel Cancer and Cervical Cancer. We are fortunate to have leading cancer specialists such as Professor Paddy Johnston working within the NHS in Northern Ireland and their work must be supported. Funding for screening, in essence, means saving lives.

Tackling the growing problem of obesity is one which I want to see being taken much more seriously. So I will work with colleagues across the Executive to identify a more effective focus on this issue.

Children play an important role in our society. Currently spending in Northern Ireland on children’s issues is nearly a third behind what is spent in England. This must change going forward.

Alcohol accounts for upwards of 40% of admissions to the average accident and emergency unit on every Friday night in Northern Ireland. Too many people are being referred to mental health specialists as a result of alcohol and too many young people are experimenting with binge drinking. I am prepared to look at a local tax but taxation alone will not solve this problem. Supermarkets and off licences have a role as well and I will be engaging with them to see what measures they are prepared to adopt. The days of the blue bag syndrome must be over.

In social policy I look forward to the speech and language task force report which is expected in December and I am indebted to Lord Maginnis for investing so much time in leading the panel of experts around Autism. But to see real change in these important areas further investment will be required.

I have already stated that I intend to strengthen the process to identify victims of domestic violence so that anyone who attends an A&E unit or doctors surgery with a physical injury is asked about domestic violence.

Under infection control, I am determined to crack down on the high levels of MRSA and C-difficile. This is an issue that I am not prepared to compromise on. Patients demand clean hospitals and I agree with them. So whilst there has been some progress in recent years much more is required. I will be looking at all options including screening patients for MRSA and the regulation of visiting and movement of the public within hospitals. If necessary I will introduce independent, unannounced inspections to ensure standards are met and maintained.

So fellow Unionists, my half term report can be summarised as much done but much more still to be achieved. But for real change to be effective further investment is required.

I know that many people within the Health Service are up for the challenge and together I know that we can make a real difference. I want to see a local health service for a local community.

Mr President, putting patients first is my priority. So as we embark on delivering this task, I ask you to join me in standing firm for patients. Standing firm for health workers and standing firm for our health service.

Together I know that we can deliver.

Thank You

Responding to recently released Police figures that show South Belfast having almost double the number of sex offenders at 96 as its nearest district of North Belfast on 50, Ulster Unionist South Belfast MLA Michael McGimpsey said,

“These latest police figures are not a surprise following on as they do from last years Northerrn Ireland Sex Offender Strategic Management Committee annual report.

The figures are alarming however: our Constituency total was in most cases triple or quadruple the average for the rest of the country. Something has gone badly wrong.

There are already concerns over police manpower levels in the area. I think this underscores the importance of creating a dedicated City Centre District Command Unit so that South Belfast can have as many officers as possible dedicated to policing the community and reassuring residents that their concerns are absolutely paramount.

The authorities have a lot to answer for over the way in which they approached this issue. The people of South Belfast and other local communities have a right to full disclosure of who is living or being ‘rehabilitated’ on their own streets.”

Commenting on a spate of attacks suffered by a resident in South Belfast who is originally from Nepal, Ulster Unionist South Belfast Assembly Member, Michael McGimpsey, has said:

“Racism is a blight on society that hinders our progress towards peace and prosperity. We ought to embrace the cultural differences of others and acknowledge the benefits and advantages that diversity can bring into our community.

“Whether through tougher penalties, such as hate crime legislation, or through education and public awareness raising of the issues involved, it is vitally important that we confront the thuggish, racist minority.

“Racism is an assault on our values and cannot be tolerated. Those who have targeted this lady and her family do not represent the majority views of the community and they do nothing but bring shame on society.

“I condemn these attacks utterly and would urge anyone with any information to come forward.”

Ulster Unionist South Belfast assembly member, and BELB member, Michael McGimpsey, has today led a delegation to meet with BELB chiefs to demand the rebuilding of Taughmonagh Primary.

The delegation, which comprised of Cllr Bob Stoker, Taughmonagh Primary school principal Janet Dowds, and local community association representatives Harry Smith, Marie McGarry and Allison Robinson met with BELB chief executive David Cargo at the board’s Academy Street headquarters.

In a statement, Mr McGimpsey said: “Taughmonagh has been largely demolished for the redevelopment of Harburton special needs school. At the moment, children find themselves in the intolerable situation of being housed in huts and temporary classrooms with no playground facilities available.

“On my proposal last Christmas, the Education and Library Board passed the proposal to rebuild Taughmonagh primary. And yet the school was not included in Maria Eagle’s recent school building programme announcement. Teachers, parents and children are desperately disappointment and demand delivery on the works promised.”

He added: “Work on this building must be started soon – children can’t be expected to endure another Christmas in mobile classrooms.

“The decision is there – so why has there been a lack of will from the department in implementing it?”

Ulster Unionist South Belfast assembly member, and former DCAL Minister, Michael McGimpsey, has voiced his concerns over the far-reaching nature of the draft Irish Language legislation published today.

The UUP MLA said that the legislation could have huge implications not only for public services, but also for Northern Ireland’s courts system and tribunals.

In a statement, Mr McGimpsey said: “What the Minister is saying today is that if there is no executive up and running by March 26, then we’ll see:

- the use Irish in legal proceedings in Northern Ireland’s courts

the use of Irish in tribunals, such an industrial tribunals, the Fair Employment Tribunal, and social security tribunals

- a duty on public authorities on the use of the Irish language in the provision of their services

- and the creation of a new oversight body, an Irish Language Commissioner.

“Maria Eagle can’t really believe that these clauses could ‘build consensus’ or reflect a ‘middle ground approach’. She voices her hopes that such proposals will gain acceptance across both main sections of the community. This underlines how detached from reality government here has become.”

He added: “The high stakes nature of DUP negotiations means that excessive and unnecessary measures contained in the legislation could become reality for Northern Ireland.

“Everyone in Northern Ireland who speaks Irish can speak English. And yet DUP negotiators will ensure that Irish is given equal weight in courtrooms and tribunals.

“This has been one of the worst aspects of the St Andrews Agreement. Language issues were settled nearly 10 years ago under the Belfast Agreement.

“But the DUP did not seem overly concerned when this first emerged. And indeed they seem to have accepted the Act as part of the choreography.”

Concluding he said: “Today’s publication is DUP failure writ large. And without devolution on March 26 – a proposition which Gregory Campbell stated would be an insult everyone’s intelligence – we will see public services and legal procedures in Northern Ireland operating in Irish.

“This must represent all that a large section of society in Northern Ireland feared the most. The financial implications of this legislation, and consequent impact on community relations, are potentially enormous.”

With the deadline for responses on the Irish Language Act consultation closing on Monday, Ulster Unionist South Belfast candidate, and former DCAL Minister, Michael McGimpsey, has warned that such an Act could be “profoundly harmful to community relations”.

In a statement, Mr McGimpsey said: “The decision at St Andrews to introduce an Irish Language Act is profoundly unsettling, with potentially very damaging implications for community relations and respect for cultural diversity.

“And for any Government department to propose that legislators pass legislation with no indication of the cost to the taxpayer is a neglect of government’s duty to promote fiscal responsibility and accountability.

“But how did we get to this position? Anyone remember the nightmare scenarios in the DUP’s 2003 party election broadcast? We had fake newspaper headlines – one read ‘Irish compulsory in all schools’.

“At the time that looked like irrational fear, but few will have realized that this would become a DUP commitment.

“When the DUP went to St Andrews the language issue had been settled, but when they came back from St Andrews they had the Irish Language Act in their back pocket.”

Concluding he said: “References to the Welsh language in the consultation are wrong-headed. Put simply, Northern Ireland is not Wales: the Irish language, unlike Welsh, has political and cultural associations that ensure it cannot be viewed as a ‘neutral’ form of cultural expression, having no impact on community relations.

“The Ulster Unionist Party respects cultural diversity as a key foundation for a stable, peaceful, pluralist society. That’s why we oppose this Act – respect, understanding and tolerance in relation to linguistic diversity will be fundamentally undermined by the proposed Act.

“The bottom line is that it’s entirely unnecessary and contains a wilful ignorance of the views of a wide range of political and community stakeholders in Northern Ireland. The DUP ought to be ashamed of themselves.”

Commenting on the award today of a one-off grant to the Belfast Festival at Queen’s, former Arts Minister Michael McGimpsey said:

“We enjoy a vibrant local arts scene. The Belfast Festival at Queens, alongside the Lyric Theatre and the newly improved Opera House, act as major international showcases for our local talent.

“While this award is welcome – it’s clear that we need sustained investment in arts, rather than ‘one-off’ grants.

“It is vitally important to invest in arts and culture. For example, every pound spent by the Arts Council sees over £3 returned back into the local economy. This makes supporting our local arts scene, and festivals such as that at Queen’s, not only a culturally but a financially sound decision.”

Ulster Unionist South Belfast assembly candidate Michael McGimpsey has voiced concerns over assistance government offers dyslexia support groups in Northern Ireland.

In a statement, Mr McGimpsey said: “In 2001 the Department of Education’s Task Group on Dyslexia warned that a high level of under-reporting (perhaps as much as 300%) would mean that ’many pupils who are dyslexic will continue to struggle, unsupported, with their difficulties both during their school career and into adult life’.

“In the House of Lords, UUP Peer Lord Laird asked which government agency has responsibility to target funding for groups supporting dyslexia sufferers, and how much funding has been delivered.

“Funding for services typically comes through education and library boards, but what about adult provision? There apparently is “no specific body that provides government funding in Northern Ireland to groups offering help and support to people with dyslexia”.

“The central funding that did manage to percolate down to support groups was small. Under Direct Rule, just £7,675.79 has been offered to dyslexia support groups by Northern Ireland departments.

“In 2004, just over £5,500 was released to dyslexia support groups. At the same time, the NIO spend £16 million on external consultants.

“Why is paying out to consultants a higher spending priority that offering valuable support for voluntary and charitable organisations working in the heart of our communities? This gives a clue as to where government priorities lie.

“The government has the money. For example, last July it was revealed that the Department of Employment and Learning had posted up a £46 million underspend for 2005. During that financial year, dyslexia groups received not one penny in support.”

He added: “One in 10 Britons experience mild or severe dyslexia. This is a widespread problem. A restored assembly must look closely at this issue.”

Ulster Unionist South Belfast assembly candidate Michael McGimpsey has voiced concerns over assistance government offers dyslexia support groups in Northern Ireland.

In a statement, Mr McGimpsey said: “In 2001 the Department of Education’s Task Group on Dyslexia warned that a high level of under-reporting (perhaps as much as 300%) would mean that ’many pupils who are dyslexic will continue to struggle, unsupported, with their difficulties both during their school career and into adult life’.

“In the House of Lords, UUP Peer Lord Laird asked which government agency has responsibility to target funding for groups supporting dyslexia sufferers, and how much funding has been delivered.

“Funding for services typically comes through education and library boards, but what about adult provision? There apparently is “no specific body that provides government funding in Northern Ireland to groups offering help and support to people with dyslexia”.

“The central funding that did manage to percolate down to support groups was small. Under Direct Rule, just £7,675.79 has been offered to dyslexia support groups by Northern Ireland departments.

“In 2004, just over £5,500 was released to dyslexia support groups. At the same time, the NIO spend £16 million on external consultants.

“Why is paying out to consultants a higher spending priority that offering valuable support for voluntary and charitable organisations working in the heart of our communities? This gives a clue as to where government priorities lie.

“The government has the money. For example, last July it was revealed that the Department of Employment and Learning had posted up a £46 million underspend for 2005. During that financial year, dyslexia groups received not one penny in support.”

He added: “One in 10 Britons experience mild or severe dyslexia. This is a widespread problem. A restored assembly must look closely at this issue.”

Ulster Unionist South Belfast MLA Michael McGimpsey today re-iterated his call for a separate and dedicated DCU for the city centre after figures published today showed South Belfast had the highest crime figures in Northern Ireland for the 3rd year running.In a statement Mr McGimpsey said,

“Over the past three years South Belfast has registered almost double the crimes than any other part of the city. These figures reveal much about the unique conditions which exist within the area. The City Centre, with all of its shops, pubs and restaurants is naturally busy. With so many people concentrated in a relatively small area the crime figures will of course be higher.

In other parts of the United Kingdom the demands of policing the commercial centres and nightspots require a separate approach.

I believe it is time for the city centre to have its own dedicated DCU with its own manpower, so as to avoid resources being severely overstretched in other parts of South Belfast. The demands of city centre policing are bleeding the rest of South Belfast of a proper and meaningful police presence. The people in South Belfast are being neglected.

There is no reason why the PSNI should not create a dedicated command unit targeted specifically to operating within the commercial and retail heartland of our capital. This would ensure the best possible policing option for the city, and south Belfast residents.

I would call on other parties to put their money where their mouth is and back my call.”