Latest news with #MikeNesbitt
BBC News
20 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Northern Ireland waiting lists: Cross-border operations money-back scheme starts
People who have been on an NHS waiting list for more than two years will now be able to pay for procedures in the Republic of Ireland and claim money £10m cross-border plan, designed to tackle waiting lists, came into effect on Monday Department of Health (DoH) said that, in future, patients would be able to claim back money for operations in the rest of the a date has yet to be set for when that extension will happen, and the number of patients able to avail of it will depend on how much money is left from the cross-border scheme. "The second phase of the scheme – extension to the rest of the EU – will go ahead," a DoH spokesperson said."The scale of available funding will clearly be connected to take-up levels for the first phase." Budget The department is already facing a £600m deficit in its budget as it struggles to reduce waiting lists and fund pay increases for healthcare reimbursement scheme was one of several initiatives Health Minister Mike Nesbitt announced to tackle waiting lists for planned operations, which are the highest in the cross-border element of the scheme means patients will get back the amount of money the operation would have cost in Northern Ireland, subject to it was launched last month, the department said full details of the plan were yet to be outlined and the full range of eligible procedures covered by the cross-border scheme was not known. Online information hub Those eligible for the scheme will be able to access a Health and Social Care online information hub giving guidance to patients on how to apply, eligibility criteria and access to the application reimbursement scheme was included in a plan outlining how £215m was to be used to tackle Northern Ireland's spiralling hospital waiting that, there will be £85m for red flag and critical care, £80m for building up capacity within the system, and up to £50m to start tackling the backlog in plan is to clear the four year waits for more than 3,000 patients on lists for hip, knee, hernia and colonoscopy will be mega clinics for an estimated 20,000 patients waiting for ophthalmology, orthopaedics, general surgery and ear, nose and throat (ENT) lists for gynae mesh, children's squints, children's feeding tubes and cleft lip will also be department said there will also be a boost in the number of urology specialist nurses and an expansion of rapid diagnosis centres for quicker detection of pancreatic cancer.
The Independent
2 days ago
- General
- The Independent
Tributes paid after death of former NI Civil Service chief Kenneth Bloomfield
Tributes have been paid to the former head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service Sir Kenneth Bloomfield, who has died at the age of 94. Health Minister Mike Nesbitt described Sir Kenneth as a 'great intellect' and 'one of our finest'. His career in public service began in the 1950s and he was cabinet secretary to the 1974 Stormont powersharing executive, and head of the NI Civil Service from 1984 to 1991. During this time the IRA tried to kill Sir Kenneth at his home in Co Down in 1988 but his family survived the bomb attack. Later, he took on a number of other roles including victims' commissioner and co-commissioner of the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains. He was knighted in 1987. DUP leader Gavin Robinson said he was sorry to learn of the death. He added: 'He gave many years of service to Northern Ireland and did so with thoughtfulness and dedication. 'His calm approach, even when targeted by the IRA, earned respect across the board, and his contribution to public life will not be forgotten. 'My thoughts and prayers are with his family and all who knew him at this sad time.' Alliance Party leader and Justice Minister Naomi Long said: 'Sir Kenneth had a distinguished career in public service over many years and in many roles. 'He and his wife were personally targeted in the Troubles, when their home was attacked by an IRA bomb, but he did not allow it to deter him from his enduring commitment to public service. 'In the decades since his formal retirement, he continued that commitment, offering his skills and experience in the service of the community, most particularly in his work as victims'commissioner in the early days of the Assembly, a role which he notably described as being a 'painful privilege'.' Ms Long added: 'I know that he kept in touch with political developments and was especially supportive of efforts to ensure the devolved administration was put on a firm and stable footing. 'On behalf of myself and Alliance, I would wish to extend our deepest sympathies to Lady Elizabeth and the family circle on their very personal loss.' In a statement on X, Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt said: 'Sorry to hear of the passing of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield. 'A great intellect, public servant and one of our finest. 'Among many other things he paved the way for the setting up of the Commission for Victims and Survivors where I served before politics.' Belfast Lord Lieutenant Dame Fionnuala Jay-O'Boyle wrote: 'HM Lord Lieutenant has learnt with sadness of the death of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield KCB, distinguished public servant and former head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service. 'Ken brought dignity, gravitas and humanity to public life. 'To his wife Elizabeth, daughter and son, my sincere condolences. FJOB.' A post from the Belfast office of the US consulate said: 'We offer our condolences to the family of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield KCB, a distinguished public servant who dedicated his life to others, including those injured and bereaved during NI's troubled past.' Sir Nigel Hamilton, another former head of the NI Civil Service told the BBC he would remember Sir Kenneth as the 'most important, the pre-eminent public servant of his time and of his generation'. He added: 'From the 1960s right up to 1991 he was the leader, he was the public servant extraordinaire.'
Powys County Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Powys County Times
Tributes paid after death of former NI Civil Service chief Kenneth Bloomfield
Tributes have been paid to the former head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service Sir Kenneth Bloomfield, who has died at the age of 94. Health Minister Mike Nesbitt described Sir Kenneth as a 'great intellect' and 'one of our finest'. His career in public service began in the 1950s and he was cabinet secretary to the 1974 Stormont powersharing executive, and head of the NI Civil Service from 1984 to 1991. During this time the IRA tried to kill Sir Kenneth at his home in Co Down in 1988 but his family survived the bomb attack. Later, he took on a number of other roles including victims' commissioner and co-commissioner of the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains. He was knighted in 1987. Alliance Party leader and Justice Minister Naomi Long said: 'Sir Kenneth had a distinguished career in public service over many years and in many roles. 'He and his wife were personally targeted in the Troubles, when their home was attacked by an IRA bomb, but he did not allow it to deter him from his enduring commitment to public service. 'In the decades since his formal retirement, he continued that commitment, offering his skills and experience in the service of the community, most particularly in his work as victims'commissioner in the early days of the Assembly, a role which he notably described as being a 'painful privilege'.' Ms Long added: 'I know that he kept in touch with political developments and was especially supportive of efforts to ensure the devolved administration was put on a firm and stable footing. 'On behalf of myself and Alliance, I would wish to extend our deepest sympathies to Lady Elizabeth and the family circle on their very personal loss.' Sorry to hear of the passing of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield. A great intellect, public servant and one of our finest. Among many others things he paved the way for the setting up of the Commission for Victims & Survivors where I served before politics. internal-gallery:%7C19 — Mike Nesbitt (@mikenesbittni) May 31, 2025 In a statement on X, Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt said: 'Sorry to hear of the passing of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield. 'A great intellect, public servant and one of our finest. 'Among many other things he paved the way for the setting up of the Commission for Victims and Survivors where I served before politics.' HM Lord Lieutenant has learnt with sadness of the death of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield KCB, distinguished public servant and former head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service. — BelfastLieutenancy (@BLieutenancy) May 31, 2025 Belfast Lord Lieutenant Dame Fionnuala Jay-O'Boyle wrote: 'HM Lord Lieutenant has learnt with sadness of the death of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield KCB, distinguished public servant and former head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service. 'Ken brought dignity, gravitas and humanity to public life. 'To his wife Elizabeth, daughter and son, my sincere condolences. FJOB.' We offer our condolences to the family of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield KCB, a distinguished public servant who dedicated his life to others, including those injured and bereaved during NI's troubled past. — US Consulate Belfast (@USAinNI) May 31, 2025 A post from the Belfast office of the US consulate said: 'We offer our condolences to the family of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield KCB, a distinguished public servant who dedicated his life to others, including those injured and bereaved during NI's troubled past.' Sir Nigel Hamilton, another former head of the NI Civil Service told the BBC he would remember Sir Kenneth as the 'most important, the pre-eminent public servant of his time and of his generation'.
North Wales Chronicle
2 days ago
- Politics
- North Wales Chronicle
Tributes paid after death of former NI Civil Service chief Kenneth Bloomfield
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt described Sir Kenneth as a 'great intellect' and 'one of our finest'. His career in public service began in the 1950s and he was cabinet secretary to the 1974 Stormont powersharing executive, and head of the NI Civil Service from 1984 to 1991. During this time the IRA tried to kill Sir Kenneth at his home in Co Down in 1988 but his family survived the bomb attack. Later, he took on a number of other roles including victims' commissioner and co-commissioner of the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains. He was knighted in 1987. Alliance Party leader and Justice Minister Naomi Long said: 'Sir Kenneth had a distinguished career in public service over many years and in many roles. 'He and his wife were personally targeted in the Troubles, when their home was attacked by an IRA bomb, but he did not allow it to deter him from his enduring commitment to public service. 'In the decades since his formal retirement, he continued that commitment, offering his skills and experience in the service of the community, most particularly in his work as victims'commissioner in the early days of the Assembly, a role which he notably described as being a 'painful privilege'.' Ms Long added: 'I know that he kept in touch with political developments and was especially supportive of efforts to ensure the devolved administration was put on a firm and stable footing. 'On behalf of myself and Alliance, I would wish to extend our deepest sympathies to Lady Elizabeth and the family circle on their very personal loss.' Sorry to hear of the passing of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield. A great intellect, public servant and one of our finest. Among many others things he paved the way for the setting up of the Commission for Victims & Survivors where I served before politics. internal-gallery:%7C19 — Mike Nesbitt (@mikenesbittni) May 31, 2025 In a statement on X, Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt said: 'Sorry to hear of the passing of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield. 'A great intellect, public servant and one of our finest. 'Among many other things he paved the way for the setting up of the Commission for Victims and Survivors where I served before politics.' HM Lord Lieutenant has learnt with sadness of the death of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield KCB, distinguished public servant and former head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service. — BelfastLieutenancy (@BLieutenancy) May 31, 2025 Belfast Lord Lieutenant Dame Fionnuala Jay-O'Boyle wrote: 'HM Lord Lieutenant has learnt with sadness of the death of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield KCB, distinguished public servant and former head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service. 'Ken brought dignity, gravitas and humanity to public life. 'To his wife Elizabeth, daughter and son, my sincere condolences. FJOB.' We offer our condolences to the family of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield KCB, a distinguished public servant who dedicated his life to others, including those injured and bereaved during NI's troubled past. — US Consulate Belfast (@USAinNI) May 31, 2025 A post from the Belfast office of the US consulate said: 'We offer our condolences to the family of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield KCB, a distinguished public servant who dedicated his life to others, including those injured and bereaved during NI's troubled past.' Sir Nigel Hamilton, another former head of the NI Civil Service told the BBC he would remember Sir Kenneth as the 'most important, the pre-eminent public servant of his time and of his generation'. He added: 'From the 1960s right up to 1991 he was the leader, he was the public servant extraordinaire.'
South Wales Guardian
2 days ago
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
Tributes paid after death of former NI Civil Service chief Kenneth Bloomfield
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt described Sir Kenneth as a 'great intellect' and 'one of our finest'. His career in public service began in the 1950s and he was cabinet secretary to the 1974 Stormont powersharing executive, and head of the NI Civil Service from 1984 to 1991. During this time the IRA tried to kill Sir Kenneth at his home in Co Down in 1988 but his family survived the bomb attack. Later, he took on a number of other roles including victims' commissioner and co-commissioner of the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains. He was knighted in 1987. Alliance Party leader and Justice Minister Naomi Long said: 'Sir Kenneth had a distinguished career in public service over many years and in many roles. 'He and his wife were personally targeted in the Troubles, when their home was attacked by an IRA bomb, but he did not allow it to deter him from his enduring commitment to public service. 'In the decades since his formal retirement, he continued that commitment, offering his skills and experience in the service of the community, most particularly in his work as victims'commissioner in the early days of the Assembly, a role which he notably described as being a 'painful privilege'.' Ms Long added: 'I know that he kept in touch with political developments and was especially supportive of efforts to ensure the devolved administration was put on a firm and stable footing. 'On behalf of myself and Alliance, I would wish to extend our deepest sympathies to Lady Elizabeth and the family circle on their very personal loss.' Sorry to hear of the passing of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield. A great intellect, public servant and one of our finest. Among many others things he paved the way for the setting up of the Commission for Victims & Survivors where I served before politics. internal-gallery:%7C19 — Mike Nesbitt (@mikenesbittni) May 31, 2025 In a statement on X, Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt said: 'Sorry to hear of the passing of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield. 'A great intellect, public servant and one of our finest. 'Among many other things he paved the way for the setting up of the Commission for Victims and Survivors where I served before politics.' HM Lord Lieutenant has learnt with sadness of the death of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield KCB, distinguished public servant and former head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service. — BelfastLieutenancy (@BLieutenancy) May 31, 2025 Belfast Lord Lieutenant Dame Fionnuala Jay-O'Boyle wrote: 'HM Lord Lieutenant has learnt with sadness of the death of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield KCB, distinguished public servant and former head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service. 'Ken brought dignity, gravitas and humanity to public life. 'To his wife Elizabeth, daughter and son, my sincere condolences. FJOB.' We offer our condolences to the family of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield KCB, a distinguished public servant who dedicated his life to others, including those injured and bereaved during NI's troubled past. — US Consulate Belfast (@USAinNI) May 31, 2025 A post from the Belfast office of the US consulate said: 'We offer our condolences to the family of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield KCB, a distinguished public servant who dedicated his life to others, including those injured and bereaved during NI's troubled past.' Sir Nigel Hamilton, another former head of the NI Civil Service told the BBC he would remember Sir Kenneth as the 'most important, the pre-eminent public servant of his time and of his generation'. He added: 'From the 1960s right up to 1991 he was the leader, he was the public servant extraordinaire.'
