Nearly 11,000 procedures completed as Daisy Hill drives elective recovery

(L-R): Mark Haynes, Consultant Urologist; Dr Raymond McKee, Divisional Medical Director; Sr Pamela Fitzpatrick.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has highlighted the growing role of Daisy Hill Hospital in helping reduce waiting lists across Northern Ireland, describing the site as an important contributor to the wider transformation of elective care delivery.

During a visit to the hospital’s theatres, Elective Overnight Stay Centre (EOSC) and paediatric elective ward, the Minister acknowledged the progress being made to expand planned surgical capacity and improve outcomes for patients who have been waiting extended periods for treatment.

Reducing waiting times has remained one of the most pressing challenges facing Northern Ireland’s health service, with long delays affecting thousands of patients across multiple specialties.

The Minister said Daisy Hill’s model of dedicated elective capacity demonstrates how reform can directly benefit patients by improving reliability, productivity and continuity of care.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said:

“Reducing waiting lists is one of my central priorities as Health Minister. But this is not just about speed — it is about transforming how we deliver care, ensuring patients receive the right treatment in the right place, with better outcomes and a more consistent experience.”

He said the hospital’s work aligns with the ambitions set out in the Elective Care Framework, which aims to separate planned procedures from emergency pressures and create more dependable pathways for patients.

“The Elective Care Framework sets out this vision for reform, and Daisy Hill is showing how dedicated elective capacity can support that transformation in practice. Elective Overnight Stay Centres like this one help provide reliable space for planned procedures, improving productivity and giving renewed hope to patients who have been waiting too long.”

Since April 2023, almost 11,000 elective surgical procedures have been completed at the Daisy Hill EOSC, spanning a wide range of specialties including breast surgery, urology, gynaecology, dermatology, ENT, general surgery, paediatric surgery, dental, oral surgery and endoscopy.

A dedicated paediatric theatre and recovery ward is also supporting regional efforts to reduce long waits for children, addressing one of the most sensitive areas of waiting list pressure and improving access to timely care for families across Northern Ireland.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt with Daisy Hill Elective Care Team.

The Minister said Daisy Hill’s contribution forms part of a broader regional effort to stabilise and rebuild elective services following years of strain.

“I am encouraged by the good work taking place across Northern Ireland to increase elective capacity and tackle our longest waits, and Daisy Hill is contributing to that broader progress.”

Recent waiting list figures point to significant improvements across the system, including:

• Around 164,000 red flag and time-critical patients seen, diagnosed or treated

• Waits over four years for named procedures reduced by 62 per cent

• Over-four-year outpatient waits reduced by 35 per cent, equating to 35,319 patients

• Over-four-year treatment waits reduced by 47 per cent, representing 9,411 patients

Mr Nesbitt said the progress at Daisy Hill reflects the dedication of staff and the importance of sustained reform across the health service.

“Daisy Hill is making steady progress in supporting regional elective recovery. This work reflects the commitment and professionalism of staff across the hospital, and I want to acknowledge their efforts as part of the wider transformation taking place across our health service.”

While acknowledging that significant challenges remain, the Minister said the improvements demonstrate that long-standing issues can be addressed through investment, collaboration and structural change.

“We must continue to build on this momentum. Better outcomes for patients will remain my focus as Minister, and that requires sustained investment, collaboration and reform across the whole system.”

He concluded by stressing that continued progress at Daisy Hill and other elective centres offers reassurance to patients across Northern Ireland who are still awaiting treatment.

“There is still a significant amount of work to do, but the progress being made — here at Daisy Hill and across the region — shows that improvement is possible. We will continue working to deliver faster, safer and more sustainable care for patients.”