That this House recognises the courage displayed by Lieutenant-Colonel Paddy Mayne from Newtownards, at Oldenburg on 9th April 1945; notes that eyewitness accounts describe Mayne's outstanding bravery while rescuing a squadron of allied soldiers behind enemy lines from the midst of a German attack; welcomes the unearthing of documents at the National Archives in Kew proving his original citation for a Victoria Cross; commends the ongoing efforts of the Blair Mayne Association; and supports this Second World War hero, who helped found what later came to be known as the SAS, being awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously.

That this House recognises the courage displayed by Lieutenant-Colonel Paddy Mayne from Newtownards, at Oldenburg on 9th April 1945; notes that eyewitness accounts describe Mayne's outstanding bravery while rescuing a squadron of allied soldiers behind enemy lines from the midst of a German attack; welcomes the unearthing of documents at...

That this House welcomes the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommendation that women should be discouraged from choosing to have a Caesarean section; notes that such operations represent major abdominal surgery; believes that further efforts must be undertaken to inform the public fully of their potential complications and that decisions regarding caesarean sections should be based on clinical grounds; recognizes that the Caesarean rate in Northern Ireland of 26.2 per cent. is much higher than other parts of the United Kingdom; and calls for this NICE recommendation to be implemented in the province.

That this House welcomes the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommendation that women should be discouraged from choosing to have a Caesarean section; notes that such operations represent major abdominal surgery; believes that further efforts must be undertaken to inform the public fully of their potential complications and that...

That this House recognises lung disease affects one person on average in every family and causes 150,000 deaths annually in the United Kingdom; notes that almost 900,000 individuals have been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; further notes pulmonary rehabilitation programmes; which improve the quality of life of COPD patients and save the NHS money by reducing GP visits and days spent in hospital, are only available to 1.7 per cent. of these patients; and urges the Government to provide permanent and secure funding for pulmonary rehabilitation programmes across the UK.

That this House recognises lung disease affects one person on average in every family and causes 150,000 deaths annually in the United Kingdom; notes that almost 900,000 individuals have been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; further notes pulmonary rehabilitation programmes; which improve the quality of life of COPD patients...

That this House recognises the importance of post offices as an integral part of local communities; notes that they are not simply somewhere to access postal services, but that they also provide often rare opportunities for users to meet and converse with others from their area; believes that the closure of smaller post offices will cause great inconvenience to thousands forced to travel further afield, a physical impossibility particularly for the elderly; and wishes to see post offices continue to serve as a focal point for local communities.

That this House recognises the importance of post offices as an integral part of local communities; notes that they are not simply somewhere to access postal services, but that they also provide often rare opportunities for users to meet and converse with others from their area; believes that the closure...

That this House notes that approximately 1.5 per cent. of the population require oral anticoagulation therapy; recognises that hospital warfarin clinics consume substantial resources with time and travel implications for patients; further notes that new hand-held coagulometers can be used by patients in their own homes, simplifying monitoring particularly in elderly and confused patients; is aware that these new coagulometers have been provided elsewhere including to approximately 100,000 patients in Germany, yet in Northern Ireland are only acquired privately or through fundraising efforts; and seeks an extensive appraisal of whether making this less invasive form of INR monitoring more widely available through the NHS could not only benefit and empower patients but save the health service time and money.

That this House notes that approximately 1.5 per cent. of the population require oral anticoagulation therapy; recognises that hospital warfarin clinics consume substantial resources with time and travel implications for patients; further notes that new hand-held coagulometers can be used by patients in their own homes, simplifying monitoring particularly in...

That this House recognises dental care in Northern Ireland to be the worst in the United Kingdom, with 60 per cent. of the Province's five year olds experiencing tooth decay; notes that those from socially disadvantaged backgrounds are much less likely to attend a dentist; further notes that particular difficulties exist in relation to the treatment of young people with special medical needs when they reach the age of 14 years; and demands urgent improvement to ensure equal access for all to dental care.

That this House recognises dental care in Northern Ireland to be the worst in the United Kingdom, with 60 per cent. of the Province's five year olds experiencing tooth decay; notes that those from socially disadvantaged backgrounds are much less likely to attend a dentist; further notes that particular difficulties...

That this House support Reconnect, the Northern Ireland charity for Acquired Brain Injury, in its call to be mainstreamed in light of its main funder to date, the European Social Fund, withdrawing its support; understands that recent investment in the overall development of services for people with Acquired Brain Injury in Northern Ireland is in response to increased recognition of the acute and growing needs of people with this most complex disability to access opportunities for a full and meaningful life; acknowledges that there is insufficient community-based provision; realises that this problem will grow; understands that mostly young people are affected; and acknowledges that investments in the future of these young people and their families reduces the potential for this group to know nothing other than benefits and dependency for the span of their lives.

That this House support Reconnect, the Northern Ireland charity for Acquired Brain Injury, in its call to be mainstreamed in light of its main funder to date, the European Social Fund, withdrawing its support; understands that recent investment in the overall development of services for people with Acquired Brain Injury...

That this House notes with considerable alarm the number of deaths associated with solvent and volatile substance abuse; is distressed by the violent nature of deaths associated with this form of substance abuse; further notes with unease that solvent abuse results in more deaths annually than the drug Ecstasy; and calls upon the Government seriously to address this form of abuse by designating the abuse of solvents and volatile substances as a criminal offence.

That this House notes with considerable alarm the number of deaths associated with solvent and volatile substance abuse; is distressed by the violent nature of deaths associated with this form of substance abuse; further notes with unease that solvent abuse results in more deaths annually than the drug Ecstasy; and...

That this House believes the deregulation of pharmacies, proposed in the 17th January Office of Fair Trading report, could adversely affect the service to the public; notes that established community pharmacies could be forced to close, with rural populations suffering; and that commercial considerations should not determine the location of pharmacies.

That this House believes the deregulation of pharmacies, proposed in the 17th January Office of Fair Trading report, could adversely affect the service to the public; notes that established community pharmacies could be forced to close, with rural populations suffering; and that commercial considerations should not determine the location of...