Debate contribution: Endoscopy: Waiting Times

Debate contribution by Mr Mike Nesbitt on 29 June 2026.

MLA: Mr Mike Nesbitt
Party at the time: Ulster Unionist Party
Date: 29 June 2026
Type: Debate contribution (made as a minister)
Business: Oral Answers to Questions
Heading: Endoscopy: Waiting Times
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5644881

Text

I am grateful to Executive colleagues for accepting the argument I made to them that, having done well in the last financial year in exceeding many times over the Programme for Government target on addressing long waiting lists, we were in danger of losing momentum without a Budget. I am really grateful to them for agreeing that I can spend £80 million — £30 million more than last year — specifically on waiting lists.
Across the Executive, that is the only agreed Budget line for 2026-27. It will be used wisely in order to address long waits and to build capacity to try to ensure that waiting lists that are coming down do not go back up.

117 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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