Tom Black

Education and health workers taking part in recent strike action in Northern Ireland

Trade Union body warns of 'industrial unrest' if NI workers' pay falls behind UK

The Health Minister Robin Swann announced a new elective surgery hub at Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry today.

Daisy Hill will only have one medical consultant from late July

Rachel Killen, UNISON Newry & Mourne Branch Secretary, is concerned that Daisy Hill Hospital could be downgraded to such an extent that some of its core services could be run by doctors from other hospitals.

Plans for Daisy Hill Hospital may borrow doctors on daily basis

Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris says he is powerless to get involved in pay demands from health unions.

Heaton-Harris says he is ‘powerless' on NHS pay crisis

Dolores McCormick from the Royal College of Nursing told the committee that the health service in the region was “beyond crisis”.

Health service in Northern Ireland has fallen off cliff edge, MPs told

Emergency departments and cancer care services will be negatively impacted by the latest budget, the BMA has said. Peter Byrne/PA Wire

Expect even longer hospital waiting lists after 'piecemeal' budget: BMA

A general view of the Accident and Emergency department at Craigavon Area Hospital. Picture date: Tuesday November 15, 2022.

Patients dying due to NI hospital crisis, warns top doctor

A pharmacy staff member puts in order medications in drawers and shelves

Fears voiced over penicillin shortage in Northern Ireland

Dr Tom Black, chair of the BMA's NI committee

Strep A: 'Patients should travel if they can't pick up prescriptions'

Concern has been expressed over the funding allocation for the health service in the Stormont budget set by the Secretary of State.

Stormont health budget not enough to address challenges – BMA

File photo dated 27/01/21 of nurses working. Issue date: Thursday May 12, 2022.

NI health service in ‘worse state than ever’ ahead of nurses’ strike this winter

The BMA has said it will consider what ‘action’ is available to oppose a pay recommendation

GPs could cut hours and consultants refuse extra work over 'too low' pay

Dr Tom Black of the BMA said that doctors 'will not put up with this situation'

Doctors in NI to consider 'action' over pay, say BMA

A nurse holds hands with a patient. Picture by Donald MacLeod.

Health unions in NI unhappy with latest pay offer

Dr Tom Black of the BMA says hospital admission rates must be carefully monitored.

BMA: Rising Covid-inpatients must be monitored

Chairman of the British Medical Association in Northern Ireland, Dr Tom Black

BMA Chair urges public to stick to guidelnes as restrictions lifted
‘While the health minister has lifted legal regulations, the vulnerable and immunocompromised must be protected,” says Dr Tom Black

Child vaccination

Doctor stresses ‘advantages’ for children of vaccination

When do Covid restrictions lift in Northern Ireland? Here are the laws being removed today and what this means.

When do Covid restrictions lift in Northern Ireland?

NI Health Minister Robin Swann speaking during a video call to the NI Assembly during a debate at Stormont. Mr Swann is isolating after testing positive for Covid-19. Pacemaker

Widespread relief as Robin Swann announces end of Covid restrictions

Dr Tom Black

Doctors and nurses share worry for health reform

News Letter editorial

With omicron is retreat it is time for Northern Ireland to reopen society

Dr Tom Black said easing restrictions too quickly could spark an increase in infections

Covid-19: BMA chief Dr Tom Black urges cautious return to normality

Northern Ireland Health Minister Robin Swann, in the Great Hall of Parliament Buildings at Stormont

Still no date for mandatory vaccine for new health staff consultation

Dr Tom Black said NI hospitals are likely to come under most severe pressure at the end of January

'Double whammy' for NI health service at 'significant risk', warns top doctor

Dr Tom Black

Covid-19: Tom Black hits back over ‘panic and fear’ comment by DUP MP

The first identification of a case of the Omicron variant of coronavirus in the UK was linked to international travel

'Highly likely' new variant reaches NI but 'normal Christmas' still possible

Dr Tom Black’s answer on compulsory vaccines for health and care staff was soft in tone for a man who has been emphatic on Covid

Ben Lowry: Reticence around requiring health workers to be vaccinated
Henry McDonald wrote (Nov 15, see link below) a good column on these pages asking why health and care staff do not have to get vaccines, as in England.

Both the BMA and RCN warned that making Covid jabs compulsory for NHS staff in NI could cause a serious loss of workers during winter pressures.
Photo: Stephen Davison/Pacemaker Press

BMA: Sensible for all NHS staff in NI to take Covid-19 jabs

News Letter editorial

Calls for vaccine passports yet not for compulsory NHS jabs in Northern Ireland

BMA NI chair Dr Tom Black spoke of ‘Covid fatigue’ at media coverage of pressure on the health service

We are sleepwalking into Covid crisis due to media fatigue: BMA

The Stormont health department said the move, which is currently being weighed up by UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid for NHS staff in England, could worsen the staffing crisis in the health service here.

Mandatory jabs for NHS workers ‘could make NI staff crisis worse’

Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong.
Picture: Arthur Allison/ Pacemaker.

Concerns expressed over ‘super spreader’ risk at Halloween

Health minister Robin Swann meets with staff delivering Covid-19 booster and flu jabs at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast, home of Ulster Rugby on Saturday October 23, 2021.

Swann concerned at face covering ‘confusion’

Undated handout photo issued by BMA Northern Ireland of Dr Tom Black.

Reopening nightclubs in Northern Ireland branded ‘complete madness’ by BMA

A third shot of vaccine is being offered to immunosuppressed people, ahead of an expected wider booster roll-out

NI’s under-pressure GPs ready and waiting for Covid booster jab roll-out

As part of the drive to get young and more people to get the COVID-19 vaccination a pop up vaccine centre open at Custom House Square ahead of the Belsonic concerts in Belfast City Centre.

Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye

Covid boosters and flu jabs for the vulnerable could start next month

An infant is fitted with a ventilator mask in the neonatal intensive care unit at the Regional Medical Center in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Greg Campbell)

Medics 'working hard' to keep ICU beds free for premature babies due to Covid

Press Eye - Belfast - 10th August 2021

A pop up vaccine centre open at Custom House Square earlier this month.

Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye

Anti-vaccine protestors like the Taliban, says top doctor

Pop-up vaccination clinics were held across Northern Ireland at the weekend, including at Belfast City Hall on Saturday

Follow England's lead and ditch masks and social distancing in NI, says DUP MP

Sign reminding people to obey social distancing rules indoors

Social distancing likely to stick around all year, says BMA NI chair

Pubs, restaurants and hotels are expected to reopen indoors in Northern Ireland on Monday

Virus levels still low despite Indian variant worries ahead of May 24 reopening

Social distancing rules will be crucial as the hospitality industry continues to reopen.

Bootleggers pub on Ann Street in Belfast City Centre.

Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye

Border behind NI caution on social distancing rules, says BMA chair

Press Eye - Belfast City Centre - 1st May 2021
Photograph by Declan Roughan - Press Eye

Shoppers return to the streets of Belfast City Centre following the removal of Corona Virus restrictions. People enjoying being able to eat and drink in the city centre once more.

NI still on course for May 24 lockdown easing, says Dr Tom Black

The island of Ireland (c/o GoogleMaps)

Doctors’ union calls for more RoI-NI co-ordination to fight Covid

Undated handout photo issued by BMA Northern Ireland of Dr Tom Black.

NI can look with 'confidence' to months ahead as virus levels decline further

File photo dated 04/02/21 of a vial of the Oxford/AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine. Issue date: Saturday April 3, 2021.

'Sensible' for over-30s to take Astra Zeneca vaccine, says top NI doctor

Dr Tom Black.

Top doctor warns of ‘huge surge’ facing NHS after Covid crisis ends

A deserted Belfast city centre earlier this year. We are being told that shops in Northern Ireland might not be able to open until the Republic catches up in the vaccine rollout

Lives are being ruined by lockdown so we need Stormont to make decisions

File photo dated 15/06/16 of fraffic crossing the border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland in the village of Bridgend, Co Donegal. For residents of the small Irish village, prime ministerial statements made in the distant Westminster Parliament are usually an irrelevant affair. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Wednesday March 29, 2017. But as Theresa May triggers Article 50, starting the process that will see Britain leave the EU, there are genuine fears on the impact this could have on the lives of those living in this North West border area which straddles Londonderry and Donegal. See PA story POLITICS Brexit Border. Photo credit should read: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Slower vaccine roll-out in RoI 'could slow easing of restrictions' in NI

Tom Black, a GP who is chair of the BMA in NI, branded the decision to delay the second Pzifer vaccine as “appalling” and threatened legal action. Why was he not challenged on this view?

Media do not challenge us doctors enough on Covid

Dr Tom Black.

Up to 5% may get long Covid, top NI doctor says

Dr Black, chair of the BMA’s NI Committee, spoke to the News Letter after the number of Covid patients in hospital here dipped below the first wave peak

Northern Ireland should pursue ‘near elimination strategy’ to tackle virus, says...

There have been more than 500,000 coronavirus vaccinations administered in Northern Ireland

‘Bumper weeks’ ahead as NI coronavirus vaccine roll-out hits 500,000 doses

Dr Tom Black

Lockdown need until after Easter, BMA NI chair warns as Executive meets

A classroom

Schools not major transmission site of COVID-19, says PHA