Minister unveils £80 million waiting list plan with investment for hospitals, diagnostics and mental health services

Northern Ireland’s Health Minister has announced an £80 million investment package aimed at cutting some of the region’s longest healthcare waiting times, expanding treatment capacity and improving access to elective care services.

The funding, which has been ringfenced through the Executive’s Programme for Government, will be used during the 2026/27 financial year to increase assessments, diagnostic tests and treatments across the health service while supporting continued efforts to tackle record waiting lists.

For thousands of patients across Northern Ireland who continue to face lengthy delays for outpatient appointments, scans, surgery and specialist treatment, the investment is intended to speed up access to care and reduce pressure across hospitals and community services.

Focus on reducing waits and increasing capacity

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said reducing waiting times remains one of his “sharpest priorities” as pressure continues across Health and Social Care services.

“Patients have waited long enough to see real change,” he said.

“Reducing waiting times remains one of my sharpest priorities as Health Minister because I know the impact long waits have on patients, families and communities across Northern Ireland.

“While there is no quick fix, we are making real progress. We have reduced some of the longest waits, increased elective activity and demonstrated what can be achieved when investment, reform and the commitment of our Health and Social Care workforce come together.”

The Minister said the challenge now is to turn those early improvements into long-term and sustainable change across the health system.

He said the focus would be on making better use of clinics, diagnostic services and elective care facilities, while supporting staff to work in more innovative and flexible ways and expanding regional services where they improve outcomes and efficiency.

Hospitals, diagnostics and specialist services to benefit

The £80 million investment package will target a number of specific areas where waiting lists and service pressures remain particularly acute.

Plans include expanding regional stroke thrombectomy services and increasing Dental Foundation Training places to strengthen the future workforce.

Additional general surgery capacity will also be created at Causeway Hospital, Daisy Hill Hospital and South West Acute Hospital to help increase the number of procedures that can be carried out each year.

The funding package will also continue investment in women’s health and gynaecology services, while recurrent capacity will be expanded across diagnostic imaging, cancer services, robotic surgery and ophthalmology.

Vulnerable regional paediatric specialties are also set to receive additional support.

Alongside this, the Department of Health plans targeted action to reduce waiting lists for high-volume adult elective procedures and tackle lengthy ENT outpatient waiting times and paediatric treatment backlogs.

Provision has also been included to support backlog activity for patients waiting for Adult Mental Health and Child and Adolescent Mental Health services.

Reform to run alongside investment

The Department says the additional money will be accompanied by reforms designed to improve productivity and modernise the way services are delivered.

This includes making better use of existing facilities and technology, increasing efficiency and ensuring resources are directed towards areas where they can have the greatest impact on patient care.

Mr Nesbitt said:

“My priority is to ensure every pound of this investment delivers tangible benefits for patients.

“That means making better use of clinics, diagnostics and elective care facilities; supporting staff to work in innovative and flexible ways; expanding regional approaches where they improve outcomes and efficiency; and directing investment where it can make the greatest difference.”

He added that the priorities had been developed alongside those delivering frontline care across Northern Ireland.

“One of the strengths of the Elective Care Framework has been the way it has brought the system together,” he said.

“By working alongside Health and Social Care Trusts, clinicians, Royal Colleges and regional service leaders, we are investing in interventions that are evidence-based, deliverable and capable of making a real difference for patients.”

Support before treatment and closer to home care

The investment programme will also continue support for initiatives already credited with improving patient flow through the healthcare system.

These include GP Federations, which provide assessment and treatment services closer to patients’ homes and support the neighbourhood model of care.

Funding will continue for pre-operative assessment services designed to ensure patients are better prepared before surgery, helping to reduce cancellations and improve the use of operating theatres.

Community phlebotomy hubs, which improve access to blood testing and diagnostic services, will also continue to receive support alongside third sector organisations providing practical and emotional support to patients while they wait for treatment.

The Department said investment decisions had been shaped by clinical priorities, workforce availability, service need and deliverability to ensure funding reaches areas where it can provide the greatest benefit.

What happens next

While the announcement sets out where the £80 million will be focused, the Department of Health has confirmed that detailed allocations and implementation plans for individual services and programmes will be published in due course.

For patients across Northern Ireland facing long waits for appointments, scans and treatment, the success of the investment will ultimately be judged by whether it delivers faster access to care and meaningful reductions in waiting lists in the years ahead.