Better to “maintain a steady pace than charge for the exit door”- Swann
The Health Minister has backed the Executive's decision not to put dates on NI’s Roadmap to Recovery.
Last updated 3rd Mar 2021
The Health Minister is standing over the Executive's decision not to put any dates on Northern Irelands roadmap out of lockdown.
Speaking at a Stormont press conference today (Wednesday) Robin Swann acknowledged that the past year has been difficult for the population but stressed the importance of gradually coming out of the current lockdown restrictions.
He said: “The past year has been an incredibly dark and difficult time for so many, an unbearable tole has been taken individuals and on families and on communities.
He added: “As I’ve stressed before I would rather maintain a steady pace than charge for the exit door and then fall over.
“But we are on a clear path to better times.
“The time for definitive dates will come, of course it will, but some of those demanding a calendar led approach now would be the first to complain if we gave them dates and then had to alter them because of the progression of the pandemic.
“Likewise, I would love to be able to announce a simple mathematical formula on how the data will determine all our decisions.
“There are too many complexities and uncertainties and I will not offer people false assurance.
“Key indicators including the Covid data and the ongoing roll out of the vaccination programme are positive.”
Vaccination progress
Minister Swann hailed the vaccination programme and said the latest figures show 582,881 jabs have been administered so far, of Which 545,000 were first doses.
He said: “We expect the programme to be even busier in the coming weeks with supplies of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine scheduled to increase very significantly.
“The vaccination programme will be scaled up accordingly, plans to that effect are being finalised this week.”
Mr Swann also said he believed community pharmacists could play a role in delivering the jab in the future.
He added: “In addition I believe community pharmacists could make a large contribution to our vaccination efforts in the coming weeks and that will be working in conjunction with our GP’s and the Trust run vaccination centres to ensure the vaccine is even more accessible to people right across Northern Ireland.”
Northern Ireland's Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride also gave an update on how the vaccination programme is helping to limit the transmission of Covid-19
He stressed the importance of maximising vaccination rates in the region.
He said: “It is the breakthrough we were all hoping for and it's the breakthrough we were all working for in the very darkest months of this pandemic.
“Yes, it will permanently change the impact of the virus and increasingly lessen our dependence on some of the measures we currently have in place and all of the consequences of those measures.''
Covid-19 Testing
Standing at the podium today Minister Swann also gave an update on NI’S Covid-19 testing progress.
He said: “Alongside the vaccination we are also expanding regular testing for Covid-19 on a targeted basis on private public and local Government sectors.
“This will help us detect hidden positive cases and help break chains of transmission.”
He said officials in the Department of Health are actively working with partners in Government and industry to identify organisations and groups to participate in the extended testing programme.
The Health Minister said he is “delighted” Translink are taking part in the testing initiative and intends to announce further details next week on the testing expansion.
Mental Health
At today’s press conference Mr Swann expressed concern at evidence of increased reporting of mental health problems in NI.
He said this has been an incredibly difficult twelve months - unprecedented in living memory.
He said: “In the space of a year so many people listening have experienced fear, financial concerns, bereavement, but also optimism and a deep sense of pride and sense of unity through our community solidarity.
“That rollercoaster of emotions has for some undoubtedly triggered mental health conditions or exacerbated existing ones.
“My department continues to monitor closely the impacts of Covid on a range of mental health indicators.
“Worryingly, we are seeing increasing mental health presentations and an increased level of acuity in mental health services, so it's important that we have the services in place to meet that demand.
“That is a message I really want to make today - if you need support, or if you know of someone who does - please come forward.''
NI’s interim Mental Health Champion, Siobhan O’Neill joined Robin Swann and Dr Michael McBride on the podium today.
She said according to figures from the NHS Federation there is an estimate that there will be a 20% increase in need for mental health services and those figures are form NHS federations.
She said: “That’s a modest enough increase, so we just have to keep monitoring this really and see what happens.
“But our mental health services are being prepared for this increase and we’re working to meet the needs of the people who are looking to access mental health services, who need those services.”