Debate contribution: ‘The State of Emergency Medicine in Northern Ireland’ Report

Debate contribution by Mr Tom Buchanan on 5 May 2026.

MLA: Mr Tom Buchanan
Party at the time: Democratic Unionist Party
Date: 5 May 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Oral Answers to Questions
Heading: ‘The State of Emergency Medicine in Northern Ireland’ Report
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5524611

Text

I thank the Minister for his response. The report conservatively estimates that 1,032 excess deaths were associated with waits of 12 hours or more in Northern Ireland's emergency departments. Minister, that is the equivalent of 20 lives every week, which is catastrophic. Will you outline to the House what you are doing about that? You have mentioned a number of things, but what are you doing to address the issue in order to help to reduce the number of deaths in 2026?

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

Part of an exchange

This follow-up belongs to: Oral question AQO 3497/22-27.

Assessment

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