Northern Ireland Health Minister, Mike Nesbitt, pictured with Ruth Beaumont, assistant services manager for theatres; Wendy Robinson, acting theatre sister; and Asim El Shafi, consultant surgeon

Northern Ireland Health Minister, Mike Nesbitt, has highlighted the role of elective care centres in helping to reduce lengthy waiting lists.

Dedicated capacity for elective surgery has been enhanced through continued development of these surgical hubs across Northern Ireland.

A key benefit is that this planned surgery is less likely to be cancelled due to emergency pressures.

There are currently three elective overnight stay centres (EOSCs) at the Mater Hospital, Belfast; South West Acute Hospital (SWAH) in Enniskillen; and Daisy Hill Hospital In Newry, for intermediate complexity surgery that may require an overnight stay in hospital.

And, between April 2023 and March 2024, more than 12,000 patients have been treated across all three sites.

In addition, day procedure centres (DPCs) are operational at Lisburn’s Lagan Valley and Omagh hospitals, supporting a range of surgical specialities.

From October 2020 to March 2024, approximately 20,000 patients were treated at the DPCs.

There are also cataracts centres at Downe (Downpatrick), South Tyrone (Dungannon), and Mid Ulster (Magherafelt) Hospitals; and an orthopaedic hub at Belfast’s Musgrave Park Hospital, which includes the Duke of Connaught Unit, a dedicated orthopaedic DPC.

Nesbitt said: “The latest waiting list statistics show a sustained and very-welcome reduction in the number of patients waiting.

“This is the seventh quarter in a row where the treatment waiting lists have reduced – the longest sustained reduction since at least 2008.

“Of course waiting lists are still unacceptably long, particularly in orthopaedics and gynaecology, however I am very encouraged to see a reduction which is partly due to the innovative, efficient, and focused efforts of staff working in our elective care centres across Northern Ireland, ensuring that patients have equitable access to the care they need, irrespective of where they live, and helping to deliver better outcomes for patients.”

The Minister was speaking during a visit to the centre at South West Acute Hospital (SWAH).

He said: “SWAH is delivering more elective surgery than ever and I am delighted to see the excellent facilities here and to meet the talented and enthusiastic workforce.

“I can clearly see the potential of SWAH and I do not doubt the valuable role it will play in driving down our waiting lists.

“I want to ensure that SWAH can fulfil its full potential and I will continue to engage with my Executive colleagues to secure the required funding to further develop our elective care centre model.”

Neil Guckian, chief executive of Western Health and Social Care Trust, added: “We are delighted to welcome Health Minister, Mike Nesbitt, on his first visit to the South West Acute Hospital to meet with key medical, nursing, and social work staff.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to highlight the fantastic work of our staff and to showcase the first-class facilities at SWAH, in particular the EOSC which is providing high-quality care to patients throughout Northern Ireland.”