Sarah McCann - Motion to Support Endometriosis Patients; and
Benview Community Centre Representatives – New Licence
Minutes:
Ms. Sarah McCann
The Council agreed to receive a deputation from Ms. Sarah McCann in relation to the motion: Support for Endometriosis Patients.
Ms. McCann explained that she was a health journalist and an advocate, who lived with endometriosis. She outlined how patients in Belfast with endometriosis were struggling to receive diagnosis or access services, and were feeling overwhelmed, many of whom were turning to private healthcare at great personal and financial costs.
She stated that, in her role as a health journalist, she had spearheaded a campaign called ‘End the Battle’ which highlighted the challenges that patients with endometriosis were facing. She explained that as part of the campaign, she had undertaken a survey of patients and she outlined results, pointing out the difficulties those patients had faced.
Ms. McCann shared the experience of a patient who was the subject of a case study and had undergone three exploratory laparoscopy surgeries, each time with a different surgeon and each time having been told she did not have endometriosis. She explained that it was only when the patient had turned to private healthcare for her fourth surgery that she was given a diagnosis.
She explained that discussions about endometriosis were essential in order to highlight the changes that were required for patients, which included up-to-date education for medical professionals, access to multidisciplinary teams and tackling the stigma attached to symptoms for future generations.
The Lord Mayor thanked Ms. McCann for her deputation.
Benview Community Centre
The Council agreed to receive a deputation from Ms. Robyn Jordan and Ms. Julie Ann Kirk in relation to a new 5-year licence agreement for the use of a portion of Benview Community Centre as a play centre,
Ms. Kirk explained that she was a parent of a child to attended Benview Community Centre and that Ballysillan was a deprived community that relied on the extracurricular services provided at the centre.
She stated that the service had requested $4,225.56 annually, which was a small amount that would make a significant impact on the local community.
Ms. Kirk outlined her personal situation and explained that whilst she has been fighting cancer, the service has provided a lifeline for her daughter through afterschool and summer scheme provision, and that the removal of the service would greatly disadvantage the local community.
She urged the Council to reconsider its decision and provide the required funding for the service.
Ms. Jordan explained that she was also a parent of children who availed of the services provided at Benview Community Centre. She stated that without the service rental agreement between Benview Community Centre and the Council, the Ballysillan community would be negatively impacted through the removal of services which were the cornerstone of community life in the area.
She outlined her personal situation and how the service had contributed to the mental wellbeing of her son who had severe learning and social communication difficulties and allowed him to integrate into a community he wouldn’t otherwise be a part of.
She stated that whilst services are offered in other centres, they were outreach programmes and that Benview Community Centre had operated as a dedicated play centre and Council staff hub, the loss of which would have a knock on effect on whole area and diminish community spirit.
She urged the Council to consider their children who lived in an already deprived area.
The Lord Mayor thanked Ms. Kirk and Ms. Jordan for their deputation to the Council.