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Mike Nesbitt has stepped down from his role as health minister following a dispute with Jon Burrows, the leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP). The conflict arose over the proposed withdrawal of emergency general surgery (EGS) services from Causeway Hospital. This disagreement highlighted ongoing tensions within the party regarding healthcare policy and leadership decisions.
Nesbitt has had two separate tenures as leader of the UUP, initially serving from 2012 until 2017, and then again briefly in 2024, before Burrows succeeded him earlier this year. The party acknowledged Nesbitt’s contributions upon his resignation, with a spokesperson praising the “significant legacy” he leaves behind. In particular, Nesbitt was recognized for his efforts to improve health and social care across Northern Ireland, and for advancing policies targeting health inequalities and reducing waiting lists.
The clash was brought into sharper focus last week when Jon Burrows, a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for North Antrim, publicly opposed the removal of emergency surgery services from Causeway Hospital during a town hall meeting. This position appeared to contradict previous recommendations from the Northern Health Trust, which had suggested that EGS services be centralized at a single hospital site. Nesbitt was unable to attend the meeting due to commitments in his Strangford constituency, leaving Burrows to voice opposition to the EGS closure on behalf of the party.
Despite Burrows’ strong stance that emergency surgery must remain at Causeway Hospital and be expanded rather than reduced, he did not clarify whether he would instruct Nesbitt not to approve the service changes. With Nesbitt’s resignation now confirmed, the UUP has not yet announced who will assume the health minister position but indicated that details on next steps will be shared soon. The party faces a seven-day window to nominate a replacement following Nesbitt’s departure
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