Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has confirmed £80million will be ringfenced for waiting list and elective care capacity building activity during 2026/27. The announcement was made during a visit to the Mater Hospital’s Elective Overnight Stay Centre (EOSC) in Belfast.
The funding will support continued action to reduce Northern Ireland’s longest and most critical waiting times. It forms part of the Executive’s Programme for Government commitment to cut health red flag and critical waiting lists and do what matters most for people across Northern Ireland.
Programme for Government is already helping reduce and clear some of the longest waits, including the elimination of waits of more than four years for procedures such as laparoscopic cholecystectomy, colonoscopy and tonsillectomy, alongside significant reductions in areas including hernia surgery. Details of how the funding will be allocated across health and social care services in 2026/27 to support waiting list reductions will be confirmed in the coming weeks.
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said: “Reducing waiting times and improving access to care are among my sharpest areas of focus as Health Minister and central to the Executive’s Programme for Government commitment to do what matters most for people across Northern Ireland.
“This investment is a continuation of the Executive’s previous commitment to expand elective care capacity and deliver sustained improvements for patients. By working together as one system, we are increasing activity, improving productivity and reducing unacceptable waits for care.
“Real progress is being made. Waiting lists in time critical and red flag areas are falling, capacity is increasing and staff across our health and social care system are delivering for patients every day in exceptionally challenging circumstances. But we know there is much more to do, and sustained investment alongside reform will be essential if we are to maintain momentum.”
During the visit, the Minister met staff and heard about the Elective Overnight Stay Centre’s contribution to reducing long waits for surgery and supporting delivery of Elective Care Framework priorities and Programme for Government waiting list targets.
Opened in November 2022, the EOSC has treated more than 8,000 patients across a range of surgical specialties and has played a key role in tackling long waits for procedures including laparoscopic cholecystectomy and hernia surgery.
The centre has helped release capacity across other hospital sites, enabling Belfast Trust to treat more complex patients who have waited longest for care. Mater EOSC activity has contributed to wider regional progress, including the elimination of waits of more than four years for laparoscopic cholecystectomy procedures and significant reductions in hernia waiting lists.
Minister Nesbitt said: “The Mater Hospital is an excellent example of innovation, teamwork and determination helping to improve outcomes for patients.
“Staff here at the Mater, alongside colleagues right across the health and social care system, have shown real energy, ambition and commitment in helping reduce waiting times. Their work demonstrates what can be achieved when we work together as one system for all the people of Northern Ireland.”
Tara McClinton, Interim Director of Interim Director, Anaesthetics, Critical Care, Theatres and Sterile Services (ACCTSS) at Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, said: “The Mater’s Elective Overnight Stay Centre represents a significant development in elective care delivery for Belfast Trust and has made an important contribution to reducing long waits for surgery.
“Working in partnership with clinical and theatre teams, the centre has supported delivery against Elective Care Framework priorities and Programme for Government waiting list targets, while helping release capacity for more complex patients across the wider hospital system.
“We are grateful to all staff whose continued professionalism, commitment and innovation are helping improve access to care for patients.”
The continuation of elective care funding in 2026/27 will support further action to increase capacity, improve productivity and reduce red flag and time critical waiting times, while helping ensure more patients receive the care they need.
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