Health Minister sets out reform vision as 36,800 more patients receive care
Health Minister Robbie Butler has outlined his vision for reform of Northern Ireland’s health and social care system, saying progress has been made but acknowledging waiting times remain too long.
Credit: Department of Health
Speaking at the NICON26 conference in Belfast, the Minister said reform must involve government, health professionals, organisations and communities rather than being delivered by one part of the system alone.
More than 36,800 additional patients treated
The Department of Health said more than 36,800 additional patients received treatment, assessment or diagnostic services during the first quarter of 2026/27 as part of work under the HSC Reset Plan.
It also reported a 25% reduction in waiting lists across priority procedures.
Northern Ireland’s regional thrombectomy service has meanwhile become the first in the UK to operate fully 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The Department said the endoscopy backlog has fallen by more than 28,000 patients since June 2022.
Almost 26,000 procedures have also been delivered at the Lagan Valley Regional Day Procedure Centre since it opened.
The centre has become the first of its kind on the island of Ireland to achieve Getting It Right First Time accreditation.
£300m in savings and efficiencies
The Department said more than £300 million in efficiencies and savings were delivered during the last financial year.
Butler said the HSC Reset Plan was helping improve access to care, expand community-based services, embrace digital innovation and make better use of the health service workforce.
He highlighted the Neighbourhood Model of Care as an important part of plans to move services closer to people’s homes, with greater emphasis on prevention and early intervention.
Despite the progress, the Minister acknowledged considerable challenges remain.
He said waiting times were still too long, demand continued to increase and the health service continued to face significant financial pressures.
Butler said reform should ultimately be about making care work better for patients, providing treatment earlier and closer to home.
Department of Health: Butler outlines reform vision and calls upon everyone to play their part
Northern Ireland becomes first in UK to offer 24/7 thrombectomy service