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

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