SistersIN Mentoring Programme Grows Fivefold, Empowering the Next Generation of Female Leaders

L-R: Antonia Willis, ICC Belfast, alongside mentee Ciara Turkington, St Dominics School, Laurel Gray, ICC Belfast, and her mentee Kate Thompson, St Genevieves High School and Lisa Black, ICC Belfast, with her mentee Rebecca James, Ashfield Girls' High School.

SistersIN, the all-female leadership programme designed to inspire and support schoolgirls, has doubled in size year on year, experiencing a fivefold increase from 2022 to 2025. This year, over 50 schools are participating in the programme.

Bringing together leadership training in schools with mentorship from senior female leaders across Northern Ireland, SistersIN provides invaluable guidance, insight, and inspiration to young women.

In 2024, 698 girls have been matched with female mentors. As part of the programme, all participants completed a work shadowing day at their mentor’s workplace throughout the first week of March, ahead of International Women’s Day on 8 March.

Gillian McKeown, Director of Operations and Growth, SistersIN said,

“SistersIN goes far beyond just spending time in someone’s place of work: it’s about early-stage professional development and real-world role-modelling.  It combines structured leadership training with a truly unique mentor-matching programme and culminates in a project delivered in their school or local community under their mentor’s guidance.

“Last year, many of our mentors were at a senior level in their organisation, meaning the participating pupils were spending time with highly successful and inspiring female role models – who live, work and lead here.  This is so important for girls at this stage of school life, when they’ll be making decisions to shape the future direction of their lives.  We’re really grateful to all the magnificent female leaders who give their time and enthusiasm to make SistersIN such a powerful and valuable initiative.”

SistersIN grew from a pilot in 2019 and was officially launched in 2022 with founding partners Assumption Grammar School, ICC Belfast | Waterfront Hall | Ulster Hall, Danske Bank, Education Authority, James Kane Foundation and Queen’s University Belfast.

This year’s participants will receive mentorship from global and local firms including Gilbert Ash, Danske Bank, Almac, MCS Group, Thales, BT Group, NIE Networks, KPMG, Encirc, Baker McKenzie, Concentrix, plus many more.

Three female leaders from ICC Belfast, Laurel Gray, Head of Events, Lisa Black, Event Manager, and Antonia Willis, Business Development Manager, are also taking part on the Mentoring Programme, providing students with valuable insights into the professional world and first-hand experience in planning and managing large-scale events.

Rob McConnell, Chief Executive, ICC Belfast, Waterfront and Ulster Hall said,

“As a founding partner of SistersIN, we are proud to support this groundbreaking initiative, which plays a vital role in mentoring and developing young girls in Northern Ireland. This year, we are delighted to have three mentors taking part and sharing insights into the world of business events.

“Any female colleagues who have taken part in previous years have been blown away by the intelligence, insight, and drive of the girls who they have been matched with. It’s really refreshing for them to play their part in shaping the future of so many young women as they embark on their career journeys."

The keynote speaker at the finale event on 7 April at ICC Belfast, will be Jayne Brady, Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service.  

Jayne made history in September 2021 when she became the first female and external appointee to the role in its 100-year history. Speaking ahead of the event, she said,

“The growth of SistersIN has been incredible in such a short time. We know that many mentors were initially motivated to get involved so they could give back to the next generation and support gender diversity. 

However, once they have been SistersIN mentors, they have got so much more out of it personally, they’ve become passionate supporters of the initiative, and I think that’s why it’s growing year on year. We are all invested in seeing the next generation of girls thriving and becoming future leaders. I’m looking forward to the event on 7 April as I know the energy on the day is going to be inspiring.”

For more information visit: sisters-in.org for more information.

Community Pharmacy Representatives Address Stormont Health Committee on Urgent Funding Crisis

The body representing community pharmacists in Northern Ireland has told a Stormont committee that recurrent funding difficulties, coupled with the increase in National Insurance Contributions, will see more pharmacies close their doors.

The sector has been grappling with a funding deficit of £20 million per year for more than a decade.

According to CPNI, many pharmacists have been defaulting on their wholesaler bills, a clear indicator of the severity of the financial strain being felt across the community pharmacy network.

In a recent survey carried out of community pharmacy contractors, an alarming 43% of respondents had been unable to pay their medicine bills on time over recent months.

The survey also revealed that in the past six months, a concerning 81% have said that they would not recommend the profession to others, a stark contrast to the vital role they play in providing healthcare services to communities across Northern Ireland.

CPNI told MLAs that these existing issues will be compounded by the rise in National Insurance Contributions and wage increases which will see a £12.4 million burden being added to the recurring £20 million deficit.

Turlough Hamill, Community Pharmacist, Hamills Pharmacy, Portadown said:

"Community pharmacies are at a breaking point and the financial pressures passed an unsustainable level long ago. It is no exaggeration to say that without prompt intervention, the very future of community pharmacy services is at risk, leaving patients without essential access to medicines and advice.

“Many contractors have had to subsidise costs with personal savings or defer payments, resulting in medicines being withheld, as well as take out loans at high interest rates. Another community pharmacy closed at the end of February 2025 due to financial pressures and there have been 17 closures in the 2-year period to Dec’24 compared to 9 in the previous 8 years.

“Of course, we acknowledge the funding challenges within the health service, but it is important that we bring a sense of reality here today to the situation facing community pharmacy in Northern Ireland and by extension, primary care and the wider health service.

“We are calling on the Department of Health to address and resolve the fundamental funding model once and for all.”

Many pharmacists have told CPNI that relentless financial and operational pressures are negatively impacting their mental health, personal lives, and overall well-being. While they remain passionate about their profession, the current environment makes it an increasingly unsustainable career choice.

Community pharmacy representatives have now warned MLAs that without urgent action, the sector will face reduced services, limiting patient access to care, more pharmacy closures and cuts to opening hours and staff, negatively impacting local communities.

Landmark Study on Metastatic Breast Cancer launched at Stormont

Groundbreaking research funded by Cancer Focus Northern Ireland, presenting the first estimates of people living with metastatic breast cancer in Northern Ireland, was unveiled today at Stormont to policymakers, charity representatives, and health officials, including Health Minister Mike Nesbitt. Organised by Cancer Focus NI, the event convened key stakeholders from the healthcare sector, patient advocacy groups, and government to explore strategies for addressing gaps in metastatic breast cancer care.

Welcoming over 40 people at the event, Richard Spratt, Chief Executive at Cancer Focus NI, expressed the charity’s pride at having funded the research and highlighted that the work has only just started, with more funding, research, and service provision needed to understand and meet the needs of local people living with metastatic breast cancer.

The event highlighted the urgent need for enhanced patient support and services, including the development of a dedicated Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) Pathway, including a Secondary Breast Cancer Nurse for all, and support for prospective recording of all metastatic cancers by the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry (NICR). Advocates also emphasised the importance of using this research as a model to improve data collection and services for other metastatic cancer patients.

Metastatic breast cancer is an incurable condition that develops when breast cancer spreads to other parts of the body, such as the liver, lungs, brain, or bones. On average, patients with metastatic breast cancer survive for two to three years. However, these patients are often overlooked, as they are not routinely recorded in Cancer Registries worldwide, leaving them feeling invisible and forgotten.

The study estimates that approximately 1,000 people are currently living with metastatic breast cancer in Northern Ireland, with around 250 new cases diagnosed annually. These findings provide a key new evidence-base to inform healthcare policy and service planning. Northern Ireland Cancer Registry (NICR) Director Dr. Damien Bennett, alongside his analyst colleagues Sinéad Hawkins and Helen Mitchell, presented the findings of the study to a packed audience at Parliament Buildings. Joined by patient advocate Ann McBrien and Breast Oncologist Dr. Kyle Crawford, the discussion underscored the need for action to ensure that patients receive the specialist care and support they need.

Dr. Bennett emphasised the significance of these findings, stating:

“For the first time in the UK, Ireland, and indeed in most parts of the world, we have produced estimates of new and existing cases of metastatic breast cancer for a whole country using population-based cancer registry data linked with hospital data and detailed death record information.

“We estimate an average of 250 new metastatic breast cancer cases each year and just below 1,000 people living with the disease at the end of 2021. Importantly, we estimate the numbers of people living with metastatic breast cancer has increased over time, from 587 in 2009 to 911 in 2020, suggesting metastatic breast cancer patients are living longer, which may be related to new targeted treatments.

“Although we have good data on first breast cancers, we do not have the same data on secondary breast cancers, which come back after the first diagnosis. However, while producing these estimates based on past records is a great step forward, what is really needed is prospective recording and collection of cancer recurrences by cancer registries, which will require resources.”

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt attended the event:

“As Health Minister I continue to meet and listen to patients living with metastatic breast cancer. Advances in treatment mean many are now living longer and I welcome this research for providing valuable insight into the number of people affected in Northern Ireland. 

"In the coming months, a new regional waiting list for breast cancer assessment will be introduced, ensuring women across NI can access the earliest available appointment. Additionally, the review of breast cancer services will focus on developing an optimal care pathway to improve equitable access for those with metastatic breast cancer.

"I remain committed to securing better outcomes for patients and their families by improving access to timely care, enhancing treatment pathways and ensuring every patient receives the support they need at every stage of their journey.” 

A special thanks was documented in the research paper to patients Ann McBrien and Julie Anne Lillis, who campaigned for metastatic breast cancer patients in Northern Ireland to be counted and for an audit of their care to be carried out. Speaking at the event, Ann McBrien set out her cancer journey from being diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer in 2013, to having a recurrence in 2019 when the cancer came back and spread to her lungs, known as metastatic breast cancer.

Ann McBrien explained:

“I was shocked to find that cancer recurrences are not included in Cancer Registry statistics. This has implications for cancer research and cancer care, and it also leaves patients feeling invisible and left behind. As a former NHS accountant and knowing the importance of data to plan and allocate the right resources to treatments and care, I wanted to do something to address this crucial gap. My friend and fellow-patient, Julie Lillis and I organised a campaign which lobbied to have this issue both recognised and addressed. I am extremely grateful to Cancer Focus NI for responding to our request and funding this important audit research.

“Since funding approval in 2023, I have been heavily involved in the research as the patient representative on the research team and co-author of the final publication. From the initial campaign through to the actual research work, I truly believe patients can add value and bring forward real improvements in cancer care. 

"The advocacy work goes on, with the focus now on using the data to drive optimal outcomes for metastatic breast cancer patients across Northern Ireland. I am now asking the Department of Health to develop and implement a metastatic breast cancer pathway, with appropriate supports for patients across Northern Ireland, particularly dedicated nursing support. Ultimately my wish is that this research, which focuses on breast cancer, will lead the way to improvements for all cancer patients with metastatic disease.’’

Dr. Kyle Crawford, a Breast Oncologist with the Belfast Trust, provided a clinical reflection on the research and said:

"This study represents a significant step forward in our understanding of metastatic breast cancer in Northern Ireland. For too long, these patients have been underrepresented in data collection, making it difficult to fully assess their needs and provide optimal care. By establishing accurate estimates of those living with metastatic breast cancer, we can better allocate resources, enhance patient support, and improve treatment pathways.

"Importantly, the findings indicate an increase in the number of people living with metastatic breast cancer over time, which likely reflects advances in treatment. However, this also reinforces the need for dedicated services, including specialist nursing support and structured care pathways, to ensure these patients receive the best possible care."

Alliance Party Conference 2025 #APNI25

Chris Lyttle, Client Director, Brown O’Connor

The Alliance Party 55th annual conference in Belfast on Saturday will present an opportunity for members to reflect on one year of a restored Executive and Assembly for which they were mandated to send a significantly increased team of Ministers and MLAs at the last Assembly Election.

A rise from 8 to 17 MLAs and vote share up from 9.1% to 13.5% signalled a breakthrough that made Alliance the third biggest party in Northern Ireland and challenged the established political status quo to recognise the increasing number of people designating as ‘other’ in Northern Ireland.

The conference is scheduled to consider delivery in government with contributions from Party Leader and Justice Minister Naomi Long MLA and Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir MLA and a panel discussion chaired by Alliance MLA for North Antrim Sian Mulholland that will include the history making Alliance MP for Lagan Valley Sorcha Eastwood. Fringe events will cover policy interventions on Health & Social Care, Water Infrastructure and Housing and Higher and Integrated Education.

The Justice Minister is likely to reference the prioritisation of Safer Communities and Ending Violence Against Women and Girls in the Programme for Government, the production of a Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy and Action Plan in collaboration with the Department of Health and the initiation of an Access to Justice Programme as examples of this delivery.

Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir MLA may point to delivery of the Sustainable Agriculture Programme, implementation of a Lough Neagh Action Plan to address the ecological crisis in waterways, publication of Northern Ireland’s first Environmental Improvement Plan and carbon reduction budgets for net zero by 2040, £3.5m in support of fishing and £7.9m for rural community organisations and micro businesses.

A key longstanding priority for Alliance is institutional reform and it is likely that a new approach to Executive formation, an end to vetoes, and the removal of MLA designations will be advocated as a pathway toward the political stability that the party suggests is needed to facilitate long-term economic planning and transformation of public services in a state of financial and operational crisis.

For now, however, the Executive is a multi-party mandatory coalition and it remains to be seen if Alliance can persuade government partners of the merits of such reforms. The publication of the first Executive agreed Programme for Government since 2011-2015 will be cause for some optimism that the collective responsibility and leadership needed to transform public services and deliver peace and prosperity for everyone in Northern Ireland can be achieved.

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Allied Health Professionals showcase innovations improving healthcare and saving money

The Allied Health Professions Federation Northern Ireland (AHPFNI) has today, 24 February, hosted an event at Stormont, highlighting the critical role that Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) play in delivering innovative, effective and cost-efficient healthcare solutions across Northern Ireland.

‘AHPs – Doing What Matters Most’, provided an interactive showcase of pioneering AHP-led initiatives designed to tackle key challenges in health and social care, including reducing waiting lists, addressing health inequalities, and enhancing rehabilitation services.

The event was attended by Health Minister Mike Nesbitt, the Minister for Education Paul Givan, and MLAs from across the political spectrum, who heard from frontline AHPs on their work and the impact of their interventions.

Joined by Jenny Kirkwood, Chair of AHPFNI, and Chief Allied Health Professions Officer Michelle Tennyson, political leaders and policy-makers were shown live demonstrations of innovative solutions which are adding value across the healthcare sector.

AHPs represent the second-largest workforce in Northern Ireland’s Health and Social Care (HSC) system, with over 10,300 professionals delivering essential services across a broad range of disciplines, including physiotherapy, paramedicine, podiatry, occupational therapy, radiography, and speech and language therapy.

Featuring a series of hands-on demonstrations, the event gave guests the opportunity to experience the transformative impact of AHP initiatives including:

· X-ray At Home – X-Ray car and portable x-ray kit brings diagnostic imaging to nursing homes and community settings, reducing GP call-outs, ambulance calls and visits to ED.

· Milkshakes Matter Project - Improving nutrition for stroke patients and people with swallowing difficulties, saving nursing homes thousands of pounds in thickeners.

· Art, Drama, and Music Therapies – Supporting inclusive, accessible therapeutic services for children with Special Educational Needs, as well as in mental health and rehabilitation.

· Podiatry led Multidisciplinary Foot Teams - Working to reduce amputation rates in areas of high socio-economic deprivation.

· Phagenyx Neurostimulation System - a non-surgical system used by speech and language therapists to restore swallowing control and accelerate recovery for patients with neurogenic dysphagia (swallowing) issues.

· Angel Eyes VR Headset - Simulating visual impairment to improve understanding of the patient’s experience.

· First Contact Physiotherapy - allowing patients to see a physiotherapist directly in GP settings, helping to reduce waiting times for musculoskeletal services, ease pressure on GPs, and deliver faster, more effective treatment.

· Occupational Therapy VR for Stroke Rehabilitation – Helping clinicians deliver more effective therapy for stroke patients, keeping people well at home.

While showcasing its many service solutions, the Allied Health Professionals Federation was also highlighting the need for investment to develop and grow its workforce.

Jenny Kirkwood, Chair of AHPFNI, said:

“This showcase of innovative projects by allied health professionals demonstrates the opportunities that could be unlocked with more investment in the workforce. There is a wealth of skill and clinical expertise in our sector and its impact can be undervalued and overlooked. These initiatives not only show smarter, multi-disciplinary ways of doing things, they offer significant cost savings to the health and social care service.

“On behalf of some 10,000 allied health professionals, we are encouraging the Health Minister to consider relatively modest investment to grow the number of AHP university places and introduce apprenticeships.

“We are also asking the Minister to give AHPs a seat at the top tables within Health and Social Care, so that they are positioned to contribute fully to developing the multi-disciplinary solutions needed to transform care.

“Increased intervention from allied health professionals will meet the Minister’s ambition to keep the people of Northern Ireland well closer to home, and out of the acute sector, in turn delivering savings at the most pressurised parts of the health service.

“We’re asking the Health Minister to recognise and invest in our workforce, to unlock our sector’s full potential.”

Ireland’s leading tech conference BelTech to bring hundreds of technologists to Belfast in spring summit

Photo Caption: (L-R): Catherine McCourt, Director, Head of Automation & Workflow Engineering, Aflac Northern Ireland; Stephen McKeown, Vice President & Managing Director, Allstate; Fergal Downey, Executive Officer, VP of Engineering, Rakuten Blockchain Lab; Síona O’Reilly, Solution Architect, Kainos; Colleen Murray, Director of Marketing, Options IT

Leading technology conference BelTech will return on 10 April 2025.

The annual event is renowned for bringing together leading lights in the Irish tech industry, and globally, as well as inspiring a new wave of young technologists with its BelTech EDU day, which has already sold out.

Curated by Kainos in partnership with Allstate, BelTech is supported by leading technology companies, including Options, Unosquare, Aflac Northern Ireland, and Rakuten. This year’s event features an impressive lineup of speakers from Amazon Web Services, MIT, Monzo Bank, and more.

This year the conference will take place at Titanic Belfast and will feature a packed schedule of keynote speeches, expert-led sessions, and networking opportunities designed to inform attendees and help them grow their own network.

US based Ryan Keenan, Director of the Learning Experience Lab at DeepLearning.AI, will headline the event with a keynote focusing on artificial intelligence and the future of education.

BelTech 2025 offers delegates the opportunity to hear from the industry’s leading experts and network with a highly influential audience. The event is aimed at both experienced professionals in the tech sector as well as budding new talent.

This year, key themes will include:

Software Development: Exploring the art and science of crafting robust software solutions. From foundational programming languages and frameworks, to advanced design patterns and architectural techniques, this track will offer insights into building scalable, efficient, and maintainable applications.

AI - Impact on Engineering: The AI track will explore the practical applications of both generative AI and narrow AI within the software industry. Topics include automated code generation, intelligent debugging and testing, and enhancing creativity in software development. Critical security considerations surrounding AI integration, such as safeguarding against vulnerabilities, ensuring data privacy, and addressing ethical and regulatory challenges will also feature.

What’s Next?: This track focuses on the evolving developer landscape, particularly with the introduction of Generative AI assistants. Discussions will explore how developers are using these tools to reduce friction and navigate disruptive changes. Students from Immersive Software Engineering at the University of Limerick will be offering unique insights into what the next generation sees as future trends in software engineering.

On Friday 11 April, BelTech EDU will host 400 post-primary school children and teachers, featuring a mix of engaging technology demonstrations and conversational sessions. The conference is an opportunity for students to discover the power of technology and experiment with the cutting-edge tools and technologies that are shaping the future. They will also gain insights from leading industry experts and exciting guest speakers.

BelTech 2025 aims to extend its reach, welcoming a broader spectrum of the tech community, from seasoned professionals to aspiring innovators. The event promises to be a cornerstone for knowledge exchange, professional development, and community building.

Speaking at the launch Síona O’Reilly, Solution Architect, Kainos said:

“BelTech is an invaluable opportunity to engage with the brightest minds in our industry. It's more than just a conference - it's a day to connect, learn, and grow alongside a vibrant tech community. The insights from leading experts spark innovation and inspire us to push the boundaries of what’s possible. The knowledge shared and the relationships built here are the foundation of our continued success in solving complex challenges and shaping the future of technology.”

Stephen McKeown, Vice President & Managing Director, Allstate said:

“We are delighted to be partnering with BelTech again in 2025. The software industry has changed beyond all recognition over the last few years. Allstate’s European digital centre of excellence, headquartered in Belfast, has been on the leading edge of that change and it has been the depth of talent and innovation in the region that has allowed us to do that. BelTech showcases what we can do when we harness culture, talent and world class skills. We are proud to support the conference, see cutting edge technology and share our journey of how we are delivering innovative digital products to millions of customers faster than ever before.”

Catherine McCourt, Director, Head of Automation & Workflow Engineering, Aflac Northern Ireland said:

"Aflac Northern Ireland are delighted to sponsor BelTech, a key event that brings together local and global tech companies to share their experiences and insights. This conference is a fantastic opportunity to engage with industry leaders, support innovation, and inspire the next generation of technologists. We look forward to being part of the conversations shaping the future of tech."

To find out more and register visit: https://www.beltech.co/

Closing Date to Register to Provide Testimony to the Truth Recovery Independent Panel

The Truth Recovery Independent Panel investigating Northern Ireland’s Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries, and Workhouses, and their associated pathways and practices[i] is asking anyone who wishes to give testimony to register their interest to do so before Thursday 1 May 2025.

The Independent Panel’s focus is on the years between 1922 to 1995, and its findings and recommendations will help inform the future Public Inquiry.

They would welcome hearing from anyone who spent time in any of these institutions, a family member of someone who spent time in one of these institutions, or anyone who worked / volunteered in any of these institutions. They are also taking testimonies on the pathways and practices in which these institutions were involved, including adoption, fostering and the care system.

The Independent Panel have developed a sensitive and trauma-informed approach to testimony-gathering.  Their specially trained Testimony Facilitators will ensure the engagement is respectful and non-adversarial to all victim-survivors’ who share their lived experiences.

To date, over 140 people have made their testimony available to the Independent Panel.

The Independent Panel is working towards its Final Report, which is due to be published later this year.  

They are now asking people to register their interest to provide testimony before the 1 May 2025, to ensure their voices are heard in its investigation. You can do this by emailing testimony@independentpanel.org.uk or by phoning 028 9052 0263.

Speaking about the deadline to give testimony, Truth Recovery Independent Panel Co-Chairs, Professor Leanne McCormick and Professor Sean O’Connell said:

“We want to make people aware of the upcoming deadline so that victims-survivors, family members or anyone with experience or information about any of institutions on our list (or about the related pathways and practices in which they were involved), has time to contact us if they are interested in sharing their experience.

"We also welcome testimony from anyone who can provide information about other organisations or agencies that provided a pathway to the forced separation of a birth mother from an infant child.

“To gain the fullest picture possible, we continue to appeal to members of the Protestant community or anyone with information relating to Protestant-run homes in our remit to consider coming forward. We are also appealing to the diaspora across the UK, and internationally in America, Canada, and Australia to make their voice heard.

“We have a specialist Testimony Team, who have been trained to support people in sharing their experiences. We encourage all those with knowledge or experience of the institutions or their pathways and practices, to contact us.”

As part of the Independent Panel’s work, information guides to support people on their journey to access their records, are now available in hard copy. The guides are groundbreaking in providing information on relevant institutions and public bodies; what records exist and how they can be accessed.

The Co-Chairs added:

“These guides will be useful to victims-survivors seeking personal information held about them as well as of benefit to professional users.

“You can request a printed version by emailing secretariat@independentpanel.org.uk or, alternatively, you can find the online version on the Independent Panel’s website.”

The Independent Panel will also make recommendations on a permanent independent archive of records related to historical institutions, the individuals who spent time in them, adoption records, and other records relating to children in state care.

A consultation event will be held next Thursday 27th February, with an in-person session between 2pm-3.30pm at the Europa Hotel, and an online session from 6pm-7.30pm. These sessions will be an opportunity to discuss ideas for the Truth Recovery Archive, with views sought on how it should look and be managed; what records it should hold and how the records should be accessed.

A survey is also available to fill out online until 20th of March.

Positive Life NI Faces Funding Crisis as Department of Health Rejects Core Grant Application

HIV charity says the drug cost of treating one new HIV diagnosis would fund three years of its prevention, campaigning and support work

Positive Life NI, Northern Ireland’s only dedicated HIV charity, has been denied Core Grant funding by the Department of Health, placing the future of its specialist services at risk.

The funding decision threatens both those living with HIV in Northern Ireland and wider public health efforts to eliminate HIV here by 2030.

The charity has highlighted that the cost of drug treatment for one person with HIV would fund three years of its campaigning and support work. It says the decision goes against the Health Minister’s ambitions to focus on prevention rather than treatment.

Despite spearheading efforts to tackle HIV-related stigma, increase testing, and provide essential support to a community of over 1300 individuals living with HIV, the charity now faces an uncertain future.

Jacquie Richardson, CEO of Positive Life NI, expressed deep concern over the funding news:

“We understand that the Department of Health had tough decisions to make, but it was always naive to think that the £1.8million allocated to supporting the voluntary and community sector is sufficient. It’s a drop in the ocean. This decision is indicative of the lack of value placed on our sector and is typical of the short-termist approach to the vital work our sector does to prop up the health service.

“We are the only charity working to educate the public around this life-changing condition. While HIV is no longer life-threatening, it is a serious illness which requires life-long expensive drug treatment. Basic mathematics tells us that the cost of drug therapy for just one additional new HIV patient in Northern Ireland would fund Positive Life’s core costs for 3 years. 

“This decision is not meeting the Minister’s stated drive to tackle prevention in order to reduce the cost of treatment. It also ignores the fact that the number one priority in the Department’s Sexual Health Action Plan focuses on supporting people living with HIV and elimination of new diagnosis.

“Positive Life is leading on this work, which has made a significant contribution to the decreasing number of new HIV diagnoses in Northern Ireland over the last decade. We also believe that Northern Ireland could be the first UK region to achieve the World Health Organisation (WHO) target of  zero new cases by 2030, but we can’t do that on fresh air.

“Without our consistent campaigning and community support, the real risk is that the downward trend in diagnoses will be reversed, numbers will increase and so too will the overall cost of treating HIV in Northern Ireland.”

The Positive Life Chief Executive says people living with HIV, who face public prejudice and social exclusion, could now be left without a voice.  Jacquie Richardson continued,

“At a human level, this is a devastating decision for people living with HIV, who already face stigma and isolation. Because of this, our service users find it very difficult to speak out, for fear of judgment and rejection. This funding decision sends out a very damaging message to them.

“Without Positive Life, many will be left without the only wellbeing support and peer community they have – and without a voice.

“My greatest personal fear is the potential mental health impact for people living with HIV. Our service users, whether male or female, and whatever their cultural background or sexuality, all rely on confidential support and a network of others with shared experiences of living with HIV. We’ve worked tirelessly with the Department and elected representatives to progress a sense of worth and value for them in the wider NI community. With one stroke of a pen, this is completely undermined.”

Positive Life NI is urging the Department of Health to urgently reconsider its funding to support people living with HIV and to invest in keeping up the momentum on its drive to end HIV in Northern Ireland by 2030.

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council signs United Nations declaration to end HIV

Lisburn signs UN pledge to end HIV

The Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Kurtis Dickson signed the United Nations “Paris Declaration” pledging to take actions to end HIV and reach zero new diagnoses of the virus by 2030. The council will support increased public education around U=U (Undetectable equals Untransmittable) and increased access to regular HIV testing.  Mayor Dickson is pictured with Jacquie Richardson, CEO of Northern Ireland’s only dedicated HIV charity, Positive Life (www.positivelifeni.com)

Fast Track Cities: Zero New HIV Diagnoses by 2030 is achievable

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council has joined a global United Nations (UN) drive to help end new diagnoses of HIV: Fast Track Cities.

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council agreed to sign the Paris Declaration and to support the UN Fast-Track Cities Initiative at the Corporate Services Committee meeting on 8 January 2025.

The council is one of the first to sign the UNAIDS “Paris Declaration”, aiming to reach zero new HIV diagnoses by the year 2030. Belfast City and Derry City & Strabane District Councils have also signed up.

The most recent HIV statistics from the Public Health Agency showed that, in 2023, there were 1,368 people living with HIV in Northern Ireland. In the same year, 101 new HIV diagnoses were made here (67 men and 34 women).

There are three elements to the actions on Fast Track Cities: public education to challenge outdated misconceptions, access to HIV testing, and ending stigma.

In Northern Ireland, Fast Track Cities is being led by the region’s only dedicated HIV charity, Positive Life, in partnership with the Public Health Agency (PHA).

Lisburn signs UN pledge to end HIV

The Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Kurtis Dickson signed the United Nations “Paris Declaration” pledging to take actions to end HIV and reach zero new diagnoses of the virus by 2030. The Council will support increased public education around U=U (Undetectable equals Untransmittable) and increased access to regular HIV testing.  Mayor Dickson is pictured with Jacquie Richardson, CEO of Northern Ireland’s only dedicated HIV charity, Positive Life (www.positivelifeni.com) along with Councillors Jamie Harpur and Nicholas Trimble.

Dr Rachel Coyle, Public Health Consultant at the PHA said,

“The developments in HIV treatment and care over the last few decades are astonishing. Today, someone diagnosed early with HIV will be able to access highly effective treatment which makes the virus undetectable, so they cannot pass HIV to a sexual partner. HIV is not a barrier to having relationships, to having children or to leading a full and healthy life. The public health message is U=U: Undetectable equals Untransmittable.”

The Fast-Track Cities “Paris Declaration” was signed on behalf of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council by the Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Councillor Kurtis Dickson, who said:

“The signing of this Declaration is an important step to raise awareness of HIV, reducing the stigma for those living with HIV, and making Northern Ireland a Fast Track Region. It places us alongside cities and regions across the globe working towards the United Nations goal to eliminate HIV.  We are pleased to be one of the first councils in Northern Ireland to become a Fast Track city.”

As part of the move, Positive Life is making free, confidential HIV testing available in the Council area.

Councillor Nicholas Trimble, Chair of Corporate Services Committee, said:

“We are delighted to sign the pledge to become a HIV Fast Track City. It's so important to get tested, not just for your health but also to help break the stigma of HIV. We have already held our first free HIV testing clinic at the Bridge Community Centre in Lisburn and will hold three more at dates later in the year. Testing is free and fully confidential with indicative results from a saliva swab test available in just 20 minutes. Positive Life also offer counselling and support for anyone living with HIV, visit www.positivelifeni.com to find out more."

Councillor Jamie Harpur, Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, who proposed the motion said:

“This Council recognises the need to end HIV within our community and globally. By working collaboratively with other cities and municipalities, Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council can accelerate local initiatives to eliminate HIV by 2030.”

Jacquie Richardson, Chief Executive of HIV charity, Positive Life, concluded:

“One of the keys to stopping HIV transmission is to get tested and access treatment at the earliest opportunity. One in three people with HIV in Northern Ireland are diagnosed at a late stage, meaning they’ve had the virus for some years prior to diagnosis.

“We would love to think that the people of Lisburn and Castlereagh will use this opportunity to arm themselves with some facts, to bust outdated myths and adopt new attitudes to end HIV stigma.

“It is fantastic to have Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council on board with Fast Track Cities. We firmly believe that the goal of zero new HIV diagnoses by 2030 can be reached in Northern Ireland. How amazing would that be?” 

Lisburn signs UN pledge to end HIV

The Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Kurtis Dickson signed the United Nations “Paris Declaration” pledging to take actions to end HIV and reach zero new diagnoses of the virus by 2030. The Council will support increased public education around U=U (Undetectable equals Untransmittable) and increased access to regular HIV testing.  Mayor Dickson is pictured with Jacquie Richardson, CEO of Northern Ireland’s only dedicated HIV charity, Positive Life (www.positivelifeni.com) along with Councillors Jamie Harpur and Nicholas Trimble.