Health Minister has outlined his vision for
a health and social care system that delivers safe, timely and
high-quality care for the people of Northern Ireland.
Opening the NICON26 conference in Belfast today, the Minister
outlined the importance of a societal approach to reform and the
significant achievements achieved through the HSC Reset Plan.
Reflecting the theme 'Reset for All | Action By All', Minister
Butler said: My ambition is a health and social care system that
delivers safe, timely and high-quality care for the people of
Northern Ireland. Reform cannot be achieved by any one
organisation, profession or sector alone - everyone has a role to
play.
The HSC Reset Plan is driving meaningful change helping to
improve access to care, expand community-based services, embrace
digital innovation and make better use of our workforce. We must
maintain this momentum.
A crucial part of the vision for our communities to live
healthier, more independent lives is through the Neighbourhood
Model of Care, designed to bring services closer to people's
homes through prevention, early intervention and stronger
partnership working.
Minister Butler Minister highlighted encouraging progress
achieved through reform efforts to date, including:
- Northern Ireland's regional thrombectomy service is the first
in the UK to become fully operational 24 hours a day, seven days
a week.
- More than 36,800 additional patients received treatment,
assessment or diagnostics in the first quarter of 2026/27.
- A 25% reduction in waiting lists across priority procedures.
- An endoscopy backlog reduction of more than 28,000 patients
since June 2022.
- Over £300million in efficiencies and savings delivered last
year.
- Lagan Valley Regional Day Procedure Centre's success in
delivering almost 26,000 procedures since opening. It is the
first centre of its kind on the island of Ireland to achieve
Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) accreditation.
While Reset is creating the conditions for long-term
transformation, much more needs to be done, added Minister
Butler: Waiting times remain too long, demand continues to grow
and our financial challenges remain significant.
Reform and sustainability must go hand in hand. Reform is not
about structures; it is about making care work better for
patients, earlier, closer to home and when they need it. Together
we can make a real difference now and for future generations.
