£500,000 funding announced to support patients on Northern Ireland waiting lists

Health Minister Robbie Butler has announced a £500,000 investment to continue a scheme providing support to people on Northern Ireland health waiting lists.

The Support While Waiting Grant Scheme will run for a further year, with voluntary and community organisations able to apply for funding to provide free help to patients awaiting treatment.

The scheme was established by the Department of Health in 2025 and is designed to help people maintain their health and wellbeing while they remain on Health and Social Care waiting lists.

Support for patients on Northern Ireland waiting lists

Support provided through the scheme can include practical assistance as well as emotional and mental health support, with projects also aimed at helping people build confidence and manage existing health conditions.

Announcing the additional £500,000 investment, Health Minister Robbie Butler acknowledged that significant challenges remain despite progress being made on waiting lists.

He said that reducing waiting lists and increasing capacity remained a key priority for the Department, but stressed the importance of supporting patients while they wait for care.

Mr Butler also described the voluntary and community sector as an essential partner in supporting health and wellbeing across Northern Ireland.

More than 2,400 patients and families expected to benefit

Twenty voluntary and community organisations received funding through the Support While Waiting Grant Scheme last year.

Patients were supported across a range of services including neurology, orthopaedics, gynaecology and mental health.

According to the Department of Health, projects supported through the scheme are expected to help more than 2,400 patients and families.

Charities can apply for grants of up to £30,000

Applications for the latest round of funding opened on Friday, September 25 and will remain open until 12 noon on Friday, November 6, 2026.

Eligible Northern Ireland charities can apply for grants ranging from £5,000 to £30,000.

Projects receiving funding must provide free support to people on Health and Social Care waiting lists, with the money required to be spent by March 31, 2028.

Further information, including the application form and guidance visit is available on the Department of Health website at: Support While Waiting Grant Scheme 2026/27 | Department of Health