Belfast Health and Social Care Trust

NSW government criticized for unequal pay rises, rail system neglect, and nuclear policy inaccuracies. Public sector workers, including rail workers, nurses, and doctors, deserve better pay and respect. Nuclear energy plans face criticism for waste storage and safety concerns. Sentencing for a brutal murder is questioned as too lenient. Greyhound racing faces calls for a ban due to animal cruelty. HSC achievers and teachers are congratulated, while gender discrimination in education is highlighted. A WIRES volunteer's criminal case raises questions about RSPCA's treatment of volunteers. Michael Leunig's death is mourned for his contributions to art and humanity. Letters editor Margot Saville reflects on a challenging year and thanks readers for maintaining balanced and fair-minded discussions.

Castlereagh councillors debated a motion to save a Belfast out-of-hours GP service, with DUP, Sinn Fein, and SDLP supporting public consultation and pressure on Belfast Trust, while Alliance and UUP opposed, citing nimbyism. DUP's Brian Higginson argued the removal would negatively impact constituents, while Alliance's Martin Gregg criticized the reluctance to reform the health service.

Belfast Council opposes Belfast Trust's plan to remove Knockbreda out of hours Doctors service, citing impact on South and East Belfast residents, particularly those without transport. The council will write to Belfast Trust to oppose the proposal and participate in the public consultation, advocating for service retention. The consultation runs for 13 weeks, closing on January 2, 2025.

Cx Precision Medicine, spun out from UNT Health Science Center, advances Dr. Sid O’Bryant’s research on blood-based biomarkers for Alzheimer’s. Selected for StartUp Health’s Alzheimer’s Moonshot, CxPM aims to enhance early detection and treatment strategies, benefiting from mentorship and global collaborations.

Cx Precision Medicine, founded by Dr. Sid O'Bryant at UNTHSC, joins StartUp Health’s Alzheimer’s Moonshot community, advancing blood-based biomarker research for Alzheimer’s. This collaboration aims to accelerate innovation in Alzheimer’s care and diagnostics, leveraging HSC’s research and global partnerships.

FDA Fast Track designation accelerates development of AyuVis' AVR-48, a potential breakthrough in preventing bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants, incubated at The University of North Texas Health Science Center's HSC Next Innovation Labs.