NI Children's Health Coalition

The NICHC is a group of leading charities and organisations working to improve the quality of health services & holistic support for children and young people.

[NI Children's Health Coalition @NIChildHealth]

In case you missed it back in June, you can watch our ‘Hidden Costs’ research launch on YouTube! 📽️

Pictured are some of the lovely families who took part. Their panel discussion stole the show and begins around 1 hour into the recording: https://t.co/FRgsSL8nCY

[NI Children's Health Coalition @NIChildHealth]

This afternoon Chairs @MJ_McCallister & @JoanneMorganNI, along with Joan Aiken and Raph O'Connor, were invited to meet Health Committee Chair Liz Kimmons & Deputy Chair @DannyDonnelly1. The group discussed key child health concerns in NI and funding issues for the VCS sector.

[NI Children's Health Coalition @NIChildHealth]

Today members of the coalition met with @allianceparty MLAs and Executive Health Committee members @NualaMcAllister & @DannyDonnelly1 to discuss the hidden costs of having a child in hospital and our call for a Young Patients Fund. Thanks to both for their support.

[NI Children's Health Coalition @NIChildHealth]

Check out this wonderful profile of Coalition co-chair @JoanneMorganNI.

Our campaign for a #youngpatientsfundNI and 'Hidden Costs' research are mentioned in the article.

You can read the full Hidden Costs report here ⬇️ https://t.co/M8I6rDx8ie

[VIEWdigital @VIEWdigital]

The Big Interview: A woman with a passion for tackling health inequalities and not afraid to speak out about them. @JoanneMorganNI talks to VIEWdigital editor @BrianPelan – https://t.co/j4E8q2vDmO

[Joanne McCallister @MJ_McCallister]

Great to represent @Chldns_Hrtbeat at @childreninhosp annual lecture in Dublin today along with colleagues from @NIChildHealth and HPS from across NI and RoI. Amazing to see our research on 'The State of Play' on display at the networking session pre-event.

[Joanne McCallister @MJ_McCallister]

At the launch of @RCPCHIreland #WorriedandWaiting report this afternoon.
Children waiting much longer in NI compared to other areas. In June 2023 there were over 22k children on waiting lists.
Recommendations - Whole child approach; workforce strategy and improved data.

[BBC News NI @BBCNewsNI]

The number of children waiting for outpatient appointments has reached "an all-time high", a report by @RCPCHtweets has found.
https://t.co/peC4mZBCCs

[NI Children's Health Coalition @NIChildHealth]

An Anti-Poverty Strategy is now 18 years overdue - there can be no more delay.

An investment in children & families is an investment in a better society. (🧵3/3)

[NI Children's Health Coalition @NIChildHealth]

We were pleased to attend this event earlier, and wholeheartedly support the call for the Anti-Poverty Strategy to be brought forward as a matter of urgent Executive priority (🧵1/3)

[EqualityCoalition @EqualityCoal]

We are launching a new report on 'Progressing an Anti-Poverty strategy for Northern Ireland' at Stormont today and renewing our call for this to be an immediate priority for the NI Executive.

➡️https://t.co/rUuJYr01X8

[NI Children's Health Coalition @NIChildHealth]

Families in NI are grappling with:

➡️ The 2 child limit for social security payments
➡️ A low wage economy
➡️ No Early Learning and Childcare Strategy
➡️ Inadequate paternal and carers leave

These issues are compounded when a family has a seriously ill or disabled child (🧵2/3)

[Dr Ciara Fitzpatrick @C_Fitz_]

Poverty was not outlined as a priority for new Communities Minister @NIA_Communities yesterday. As civil society, we need to mobilise to push poverty up the political agenda.

Please come to this event next week & join @CliffEdgeNI.
#Poverty #SocialSecurity #WelfareMitigations

[Northern Ireland Anti Poverty Network @NIAntiPov]

We join the @EqualityCoal in urging local councils to pass motions in urgent support of an Anti Poverty Strategy that is based on objective need and aims to eradicate poverty. Councils must highlight poverty in their areas and amplify the voice of those in poverty. No more delays

[NI Children's Health Coalition @NIChildHealth]

A #YoungPatientsFundNI would provide vital financial support for families of sick children when they need it the most. This could help keep families in work and out of poverty (🧵3/3)

[NI Children's Health Coalition @NIChildHealth]

*98%* of caregivers surveyed for our own research said having a child in hospital had impacted their ability to work. This only drives families deeper into debt, poverty and stress.

Read more here - https://t.co/1c4JOFd5R8 (🧵2/3)

[NI Children's Health Coalition @NIChildHealth]

For parents & caregivers, having a sick or disabled child can be an insurmountable barrier to high quality and well paid work.
We have heard from families who have reduced their hours, taken unpaid leave and sometimes left the workforce altogether to care for their child (🧵1/3)

[Action for Children NI @Actn4ChildrenNI]

Today we release research into how many NI children are impacted by poverty because their families face barriers to work. These barriers include: already working maximum hours available, managing caring responsibilities, or dealing with long-term health-condition/disability

[Action for Children NI @Actn4ChildrenNI]

We recommend: 1) Fix the basic adequacy of social security-too many household incomes are too low for families meet their essential needs, 2) Support families to overcome barriers to work through childcare, better support for carers & those managing health conditions/disability

[Action for Children NI @Actn4ChildrenNI]

Today we release research into how many NI children are impacted by poverty because their families face barriers to work. These barriers include: already working maximum hours available, managing caring responsibilities, or dealing with long-term health-condition/disability

[NI Children's Health Coalition @NIChildHealth]

"There are two emotions that the rising level of extreme poverty summon up. The first is anger. Our country is entrenching inequalities between rich and poor with little debate. The second is compassion. We must do everything we can to help those falling through the net."

👇

[The Guardian @guardian]

Homes without heating, tables without food. Grinding child poverty in Britain calls for anger – and a plan | Gordon Brown https://t.co/MvzeaLQF1D

[Department of Health @healthdpt]

Health Minister Robin Swann has confirmed he will reinstate £85,000 funding for NI Children’s Hospice.

[NI Children's Health Coalition @NIChildHealth]

A call for participants for some very important and timely research!

[NI Children's Health Coalition @NIChildHealth]

We're delighted to see the re-establishment of the NI Executive.

We look forward to working with MLAs and policymakers to provide vital support for families of sick children #YoungPatientsFundNI