Debate contribution: Women's Health Strategy
Debate contribution by Mr Mike Nesbitt on .
- MLA
- Mr Mike Nesbitt
- Party at the time
- Ulster Unionist Party
- Date
- 5 May 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution (made as a minister)
- Business
- Oral Answers to Questions
- Heading
- Women's Health Strategy
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5524589
Read the official Assembly record
Text
After the debate, it was clear to me that the mood and will of the House was to look at an interim measure that was good and safe, not necessarily one that was best practice. From the Royal College, we know that best practice means proximity to an adult inpatient centre and obstetric-led maternity services. We looked at a couple of sites and discussed them internally. The five directors of mental health from the five geographic trusts wrote to me as one to say that they would not support the interim solution that we had in mind and that we had to stick to best practice. That is why we are going for the Belfast City Hospital site. As I made clear, I was originally told that, if we started now, we could have it open in 2031. I found that entirely unacceptable, so the deadline is now no later than the financial year 2028-29. I have not finished there, however. Once the design team has finished, I will press for an earlier opening than 2028-29. I may not be successful, but I am going for it.
187 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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