NHS principle of free treatment for all in ‘grave danger’ warns Robin Swann + NI coronavirus infections up 34% in last seven days

	Apr 13, 2021

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	NHS principle of free treatment for all in ‘grave danger’ in Northern Ireland, warns NI Health Minister Robin Swann

	Northern Ireland’s Health Minister has said the fundamental principle underpinning the NHS — that services are available to all and free at the point of access — is in “grave danger” because of the dire waiting lists for treatment here.

From the Editor:

Dear reader

The feeling of optimism about the lifting of lockdown in Northern Ireland has been reflected in a statement from the retailer Primark on Tuesday.

Primark said it was “looking forward to opening its stores” in the Province as the momentum builds towards Thursday’s meeting of the Stormont Executive.

It is believed that the Executive will give the green light to the reopening of non-essential retail on Monday, April 26, with both the DUP and Sinn Fein now having said they are both behind a further relaxation of restrictions.

There were no further Covid-19 related deaths on Tuesday, although the Department of Health announced that another 112 new infections had been recorded.

Alistair Bushe
Editor

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