11,000 petition signatures in support of saving Pinewood

A petition with nearly 11,000 signatures in support of Pinewood residential care home has been hand delivered to the Speaker of the Assembly.
Paul Frew DUP MLA for North Antrim hands in a petition in support of Pinewood Residential care home to the Speaker of the Assembly.Paul Frew DUP MLA for North Antrim hands in a petition in support of Pinewood Residential care home to the Speaker of the Assembly.
Paul Frew DUP MLA for North Antrim hands in a petition in support of Pinewood Residential care home to the Speaker of the Assembly.

The Speaker will now send a copy of the petition to the Minister for Health and also to the Assembly Committee for Health for consideration.

Local MLA Paul Frew handed in the document last week accompanied to Stormont by stalwart Pinewood campaigners Joan McKibben and Margaret Wallace who each have parents resident in the home.

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He said: “This is a very important issue in Ballymena and it effects the whole of North Antrim.

I am not elected to the assembly to fight for buildings,institutions or establishments. I’m here to fight for people; the North Antrim people and the services that are delivered to them and for them.

“I am in no doubt that Pinewood has a special place in the area and is vital in the care of our elderly at this time Pinewood delivers not only residential care but also rehabilitation and respite care.”

Mr Frew commended the hard work of people like Joan and Margaret who have been campaigning for the retention of Pinewood.

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He said: “We got a very good response on the streets and it was great to speak to people and update them on the work up to this point.”

The DUP Assemblyman also said he had recently met for talks on the issue with Northern Trust repesentatives recently

“The fight to retain Pinewood continues,” he said.