Deirdre Heenan: Astounding lack of action to tackle our hospitals’ delayed discharges
If you are unlucky enough to have an emergency this winter, remember the carnage around you was a political choice
Deirdre Heenan: More money won’t fix our broken health system - no matter how often our politicians tell us otherwise
No new ideas and a shrug of the shoulders from the minister and MLAs seems to be the best patients in crammed EDs can hope for this winter
Deirdre Heenan: What age is too young to be a criminal?
In our justice system, a 10-year-old child is considered as indistinguishable from an adult when being charged and tried for criminal offences
Deirdre Heenan: A little less conversation and a little more action in 2025, please Stormont
Given its lack of delivery and battered reputation, Stormont’s credibility and relevance is on the line
Deirdre Heenan: Kneecap won’t be the last group to score a win over Kemi Badenoch
The new Conservative leader won’t lead the party back to power
Deirdre Heenan: There is a better way than making assisted dying legal
Assisted dying would alter how society views and values older people, disabled people and those with poor mental health
Donald Trump’s economic message hit home and brought victory over Kamala Harris and the Democrats - Deirdre Heenan
It was all about the economy, stupid
Deirdre Heenan: Where is the change Labour promised us? Time to hit the reset button
Who could have guessed the drugging of unemployed people and coaching those with mental illnesses would be policy priorities?
Deirdre Heenan: Time to face up to hard truths of broken promises on health reform
Visit of Prof Rafael Bengoa was excruciating reminder of how little has been achieved
Keir Starmer is no Tony Blair - Deirdre Heenan
Just months after securing a crushing majority, it already feels like the wheels are coming off Labour’s wagon
Stormont’s programme for government is just more of the same thin gruel we’ve been served for decades - Deirdre Heenan
The draft programme for government is not a practical plan for dealing with the deep malaise in the public sector
Deirdre Heenan: Claire Hanna is energetic and relatable – but can she make the SDLP relevant too?
The SDLP are not dead, but they have stagnated. Claire Hanna now has the opportunity to put her imprimatur on the party
There’s a blueprint to transform mental health services. Why won’t the Department of Health fund it? - Deirdre Heenan
Mental health services are being left to fail with patients and services users struggling to access both routine and urgent care
Deirdre Heenan: Labour is simply playing Tories at their own game
End of universal winter fuel payments paves way for further erosion of the welfare state
No-one wins in our system of dealing with medical negligence - Deirdre Heenan
A better way is needed, for healthcare professionals as well as patients