Northern Ireland

DUP criticises health minister’s ‘underwhelming’ plans for hospital reform

Mike Nesbitt has set out plans to reorganise existing hospitals, including grouping specialist services together to reduce waiting times and ease staffing pressures, but the DUP says more detail is needed

Ulster Unionist Party leader Mike Nesbitt gave a remote address
Stormont Health Minister and Ulster Unionist Party leader Mike Nesbitt. (Brian Lawless/PA)
By Allan Preston

THE DUP has accused the health minister of an “underwhelming” lack of detail on plans to reorganise hospitals in Northern Ireland.

On Tuesday, Mike Nesbitt unveiled his proposals to move away from hospitals being expected to provide all services, to creating a network with hospitals divided into four types; local, general, area and regional centres.

Entitled ‘Hospitals – Creating a Network for Better Outcomes,’ this will include concentrating certain specialties together, meaning some patients will need to travel further for appointments but with an intended payoff of improved waiting times and outcomes as well as easing staffing pressures.

Stating that “change cannot be avoided,” Mr Nesbitt denied the plan was about cost-cutting or closing hospitals, but proactively making the best use of existing sites and staff rather than waiting for services to collapse.

DUP MLA and Health Committee member Diane Dodds, called the announcement “underwhelming.”

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“Eight years on from the Bengoa Report (a major 2016 report into reforming Northern Ireland’s health service) why is the focus still on principles?”

“Surely we have had all the frameworks we need,” she said. “Frontline healthcare staff and the wider public will rightly be asking for much more from the minister. What we need is detail and action. Regrettably, the Minister has made it clear that this is for another day.”

She added that “more of the same” would not transform health services or an arbitrary increase to health funding.

With Professor Rafael Bengoa returning to Northern Ireland next week, she added: “We need more detail and more action soon.”

DUP MLA Diane Dodds. PICTURE: NIALL CARSON/PA
DUP MLA Diane Dodds. PICTURE: NIALL CARSON/PA

Sinn Féin MLA and health committee chair, Liz Kimmins, said it was “vital” the public had their say on health services are structured.

“Any reset must be focused on improving outcomes, cutting waiting lists, and ensuring everyone has equal access to quality health care,” she said.

“It is essential the health minister ensures that any proposals are developed working in partnership with patients, carers, and staff.

“Consideration must also be given to ensure those in more rural areas are able to access hospital services in a timely manner when they need to.

“I would encourage everyone to have their say on this consultation and contribute to improving hospitals across the north.”

SDLP MLA Justin McNulty also raised concerns about how maternity services might be affected at Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry, and accused Mr Nesbitt of having a “no compromise” approach to the hospital.

In contrast, the Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke (NICHS) charity said Mr Nesbitt’s plans should be “applauded.”

“Change is always unsettling, but NICHS believes that the public are willing to welcome changes that will allow improved, and more sustainable, services - even if that means they, on occasion, have to travel further,” a spokesperson said.

“We know that services, such as stroke services, are not as good as they could and should be. We need to change to improve. Better outcomes will only come if we reconfigure our hospitals. This is not about ‘closures’ it is about providing the best possible care.”

A public consultation on the plans is due to open on Wednesday.