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The new health minister of Northern Ireland has revealed that his party leader has placed no restrictions on him following a dispute over policy, which led to his predecessor stepping down. Robbie Butler, appointed by the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) leader Jon Burrows on Thursday, emphasized that his decisions would be guided by both expert analyses and the perspectives of the public.
Mike Nesbitt, a member of the same party, resigned after disagreements with Burrows concerning the removal of emergency general surgery (EGS) services from Causeway Hospital. Burrows had publicly stated his opposition to withdrawing the service during a town hall meeting, a stance Nesbitt claimed he had only become aware of through media coverage. In discussing the situation with BBC News NI, Butler expressed his intent to assure the community that any forthcoming changes would prioritize their best interests. He stressed the importance of keeping the affected population central to any decision-making process.
Butler acknowledged a gap between healthcare professionals and those impacted by the proposed changes at Causeway Hospital. His goal is to bridge that divide by carefully considering his actions, avoiding rushed decisions, and ensuring any alterations or improvements are both practical and sustainable. He also recognized the time constraints he faces, with just seven months until the next assembly elections in May 2027, yet he remains dedicated to earning public trust before moving forward with any modifications.
In his resignation letter addressed to Burrows, Nesbitt recounted that upon Burrows’ ascendancy to party leadership, he had been informed of one “red line”: opposition to puberty blockers and Northern Ireland’s involvement in the Pathways trial. However, Nesbitt claimed a second red line was later introduced regarding the EGS service at Causeway Hospital, information he learned about only through media reports. He had offered Burrows a proposal to handle the situation but, after receiving no prompt response and noting the disruption caused within the Health and Social Care system, felt the issue needed urgent resolution.
Previously, the Northern Health Trust had recommended that EGS should be centralized and provided at only one hospital site, suggesting the service be relocated to Antrim. The Department of Health was reportedly awaiting a final decision from the minister on this recommendation. Following Nesbitt’s resignation, Burrows acknowledged that healthcare reform is necessary but stressed that the manner in which reform is implemented is as significant as the decisions themselves. He highlighted that the aim should be to deliver “safe, sustainable services” while addressing inequalities in health access and regional disparities across Northern Ireland
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