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Daisy Hill Hospital is to receive a share of £80m in funding aimed at increasing general surgery capacity and helping to reduce waiting lists. The investment has been welcomed locally after Health Minister Mike Nesbitt confirmed how the money will be targeted during 2026/27.
Newry and Armagh MLA Justin McNulty welcomed the Department of Health's announcement that Daisy Hill will be included in the funding, alongside Causeway Hospital in Coleraine and South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen. McNulty said: "I welcome the additional funding going towards our Daisy Hill Hospital. This funding can be pivotal in supporting patients access to assessments, diagnostic tests and treatment sooner, as well as helping reduce waiting times for those waiting the longest for consultant appointments."
He added: "We all know that the health service is facing challenges regarding waiting times and budgets, and this funding can go some way towards allaying those challenges."
The ringfenced Programme for Government funding forms part of a wider package intended to support more patients accessing assessment, diagnostic tests and treatment sooner, while increasing elective capacity throughout Health and Social Care. Alongside the investment, continued reform is planned to improve productivity and make better use of existing facilities and technology.
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said: "Patients have waited long enough to see real change. Reducing waiting times remains one of my sharpest priorities as Health Minister because I know the impact long waits have on patients, families and communities across Northern Ireland."
