Motion

Motion TitleWaiting Lists Affecting Winter Preparedness

Motion TextThat this Assembly deplores the appalling pressures being faced by both patients and staff in emergency departments; expresses particular concern that this was entirely foreseeable but that planning was not carried out early enough; expresses alarm at the ongoing failure to address hospital throughput issues identified in the Northern Ireland Fiscal Council Sustainability Report 2022: special focus - Health, which contributes to the number of people being left in corridors or ambulances; recognises that those who need access to, or work in, emergency departments have been let down by a failure to take early and specific action to address waiting times; and calls for an assurance, matched by a clearly set out timeline, that winter pressures planning for 2026-27 will proceed much earlier with detailed plans published no later than the summer of 2026.

Motion CategoryPrivate Members' Motion

Date Tabled to Business Office06/01/2026

Date Selected By Committee06/01/2026

Date of Plenary Debate20/01/2026