Member's statement: Community Nurses
Member's statement by Mr Justin McNulty on .
- MLA
- Mr Justin McNulty
- Party at the time
- Social Democratic and Labour Party
- Date
- 13 January 2025
- Type
- Member's statement
- Business
- Members' Statements
- Heading
- Community Nurses
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 4737834
Read the official Assembly record
Text
I rise today to recognise the remarkable, life-changing work of community nurses. Those incredible individuals do not just care for our physical health; they sustain and enhance our lives. They are the unsung heroes who bring comfort, compassion and healing in places where healthcare is needed most — in our homes, in our neighbourhoods and in the heart of our communities. Community nurses show up when it matters most, often during difficult moments in the lives of people and families. They visit homes where a mother may be struggling with a newborn, where an elderly person is isolated or where a family is caring for a loved one with a terminal illness. They bring more than medical expertise; they bring warmth, hope and a sense of reassurance to families in times of uncertainty. I have seen how community nurses go above and beyond for their patients. They are not just administering treatments; they listen, offer comfort and provide hope and reassurance. When a nurse sits by a patient's side holding their hand and offering kind words of encouragement, they are offering far more than just care; they are giving them dignity, respect and a sense of security. We know that the work that community nurses do is difficult, is, at times, overwhelming and, often, goes unnoticed, but it is precisely because of their dedication, empathy and tireless efforts that our healthcare system works. They are the lifeblood of our communities, the ones who ensure that healthcare does not end at hospital doors but continues at home where it matters the most. Today, I thank community nurses, not just for the work that they do but for the hope, warmth and kindness that they bring. I thank them for the patience, commitment and love that they give every day. They change lives and do so with warmth, kindness and grace. They make people feel seen, heard and cared for, often when they are at their most vulnerable. I pledge that I will continue to fight for the support and the resources that community nurses need to do their work. We owe them far more than words, and we must ensure that they are recognised and valued in a way that they truly deserve. To every community nurse, I offer you a heartfelt, "Thank you". You make our communities stronger, healthier and more connected. For that, we are forever grateful. To all those fighting illness, I send you our love and support. To my cousin, who is in a hospital bed fighting for his life, I send our hope, prayers and strength. To Danielle, Ethan, Alexis, Cara, Lourdes and Charles I say that we believe in miracles and carers and healing well.
450 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Assessment
Jev’s structured answers met the documented threshold for “not flagged”.
- Overall probability that the activity is being used to promote, exploit or escalate an identity-based controversy: 0.02 (flagging needs at least 0.70; at or below 0.30 is not flagged).
- None of the five culture-war criteria was met (each was below 0.60).
- No identity-based framing was identified (1.00).
- The overall probability was at or below the not-flagging threshold.
This is an AI-generated assessment of the text, made against published criteria. It is not a finding of fact about the MLA or their intentions. The Assembly record itself is the fact.
Jev’s structured answers
| Question | Probability | Met? |
|---|---|---|
| Identity framing | 0.02 | No |
| Sectarian or communal antagonism | 0.01 | No |
| Cultural grievance politics | 0.01 | No |
| Dog-whistle messaging | 0.01 | No |
| Controversy escalation | 0.02 | No |
| Legitimate policy scrutiny | 0.14 | No |
| Overall judgement | 0.02 | At or below not-flagging threshold |
| Option | Probability |
|---|---|
| No identity-based framing (chosen) | 1.00 |
| Reports or questions it | 0.00 |
| Criticises or condemns it | 0.00 |
| Adopts it | 0.00 |
| Subject | Probability |
|---|---|
| No identity-related subject | 0.72 |
| Disability (including neurodivergence and mental health), disabled people and disability or sickness benefits | 0.16 |
| Another identity-related subject | 0.05 |
| Sexism, misogyny, ageism and other equality groups | 0.04 |
| Religion and belief (including people of no religion), churches, faith communities and religious prejudice (including antisemitism and anti-Muslim prejudice) | 0.02 |
Assessed 21 October 2026 at 11:42 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.
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