Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has informed Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) that changes to hospital services in Northern Ireland are an "ongoing reality."

Ahead of the release of 'Hospitals – Creating a Network for Better Outcomes' today, 01 October, Mr. Nesbitt sent a letter to MLAs outlining the framework for reconfiguring services. This framework will be the subject of a public consultation.

The Minister's letter emphasised that this is the first of several planned announcements and publications aimed at guiding health and social care services towards recovery.

Minister Nesbitt said: "This autumn will be important in terms of re-booting reform and facing up to the many serious challenges ahead.

"As you will be aware, reconfiguration is an ongoing reality in our health service as evidenced, for example, by the development of a network of elective care hubs and last year's decision to consolidate in-patient maternity services at Antrim Hospital.

"Forthcoming reconfiguration decisions for me will include the outcome of the Northern HSC Trust public consultation on emergency general surgery and proposals from the review of breast cancer services I announced in recent days.

"It should be understood that "Hospitals – Creating a Network for Better Outcomes" will not set out precise locations for each medical specialty. That will require ongoing and specific processes.

"The new document should not be seen in isolation but as an important piece in the overall puzzle that will deliver better outcomes."

This autumn will also see the publication of a major review of maternity services and a return visit to Northern Ireland by Professor Rafael Bengoa.

"In the immediate weeks following Professor Bengoa's visit, I will publish a three-year strategic plan for the remainder of this Assembly mandate," the Minister's letter said.

Mr Nesbitt also informed MLAs: "I have to say that the current financial position makes progress all the more difficult. There are still actions I can and will take, as evidenced by the updates above. At the same time, significant additional resources will be required in the years ahead.

"While the Programme for Government sets out the limits that the present budgetary situation places on efforts to reduce waiting lists, I will continue to make the case for significantly more funding for health.

"I have no time for the argument that money alone is the solution to the health service's ills. Equally, anyone who suggests it is not part of the answer is sadly mistaken."