AQW 37852/22-27

Mr Nick Mathison
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 09/01/2026
Answered On Date: 26/01/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health for his assessment of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine's December 2025 report Overcrowding and Corridor Care in Northern Ireland Emergency Departments.

Answer:

My Department recognises the challenges faced by emergency departments (EDs) and is working closely with Health and Social Care Trusts and community services to implement a range of actions aimed at improving patient flow and reducing delays.

I thank the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) for producing this report, which is a fundamental addition to understanding what needs to be done to make the improvements to patient outcomes and experience that are needed. I am actively engaging with RCEM on the findings and will continue to do so.

I note that the RCEM report raises familiar issues, for example, around workforce, hospital and whole-system flow, and I want to provide reassurance that work is already ongoing that will help address them, subject to the resources available to me.

For example, to help alleviate pressures in EDs by diverting patients to more appropriate pathways, we have expanded urgent care centres, enhanced Phone First services, and increased access to minor injury units. There is also an increased focus on self-care, utilisation of Pharmacy support and GP services. To further support the use of alternative pathways to ED, £1.3 million has been allocated to NIAS for the development of an Integrated Care Hub (ICH), to facilitate clinically appropriate ‘Hear and Treat’ and ‘See and Treat’ pathways. These services provide patients with timely alternatives to ED attendance, ensuring they are seen and treated in the most appropriate place for their needs.

I am acutely aware that the ever-increasing pressure on our hospital services, including admission to a ward, is being reflected in the overcrowding and corridor care in EDs. This is exacerbated by the delayed discharges of patients who are medically fit to leave hospital, but are waiting on care packages, including domiciliary care, and residential and nursing home care. My Department continues to work with Trusts and community services to support timely discharge through access to support where patient needs cannot otherwise be safely met at home.

Working in partnership with the RCEM and Trusts, my Department has also strengthened consultant capacity in EDs across Northern Ireland. Eighteen additional emergency medicine consultants have already taken up posts, with a further five due to start in the coming months. This additional expertise will improve senior decision-making during evenings and weekends, when consultant cover has traditionally been limited.

Ultimately, the measures being taken are designed to improve patient flow throughout hospitals, reduce congestion in EDs and enhance waiting times, therefore supporting patients to receive timely, safe, and effective care both within EDs and across the wider health and social care system.