Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has declared that his 'Reset Plan' is delivering "real and meaningful change," citing substantial and sustained progress in tackling Northern Ireland's longest waiting lists for medical care.

The Minister welcomed the latest figures, which he said provide clear evidence of a successful system-wide response to reduce delays for the most time-critical patients.

Since April 2025, Health and Social Care Trusts (HSC) and partners in the independent sector have seen, diagnosed, or treated more than 100,000 red flag or time-critical patients. Based on current plans, this significant figure is expected to rise to approximately 226,000 patients, demonstrating the ambitious scale of the effort to ensure quicker access to urgent care while simultaneously addressing extensive waiting times.

Substantial progress has also been made in reducing the most protracted delays. Between April and September 2025, the number of people waiting over four years for an outpatient appointment dropped by 24%, translating to 24,811 fewer patients. Over the same period, the number of individuals waiting over four years for treatment reduced by 33%, a decrease of 6,683 patients.

Minister Nesbitt, speaking at the NICON 2025 Conference in Belfast, emphasised the breakthrough: "Today's figures show that the Reset Plan is beginning to deliver real and meaningful change. People who have waited too long for care are now being seen, and we are starting to turn the tide on the longest waits." He added that these results demonstrate the difference that collaborative work and the "best use of all available capacity" can make. Up to £215 million has been earmarked for elective care initiatives this current financial year, reflecting a Programme for Government priority, with achievements delivered through increased clinical activity, targeted waiting list initiatives, and better use of capacity across the system.

Significant improvements have been logged across key procedure areas, particularly for waits exceeding four years:

• Colonoscopy waits have been reduced by an outstanding 81%. Two Trusts have now completely eliminated their longest waits, with a third having only one patient remaining, who is scheduled for treatment this month.

• Waiting lists for laparoscopic cholecystectomy (gallbladder surgery), primary hip and knee replacements, and tonsillectomies have all fallen by over 40%.

Focused work is also yielding results for children, with the number waiting over a year for an endoscopic scope halved (51% reduction). Additionally, children waiting longer than 13 weeks for cleft lip repair and PEG tube procedures have been reduced significantly by 58% and 67%, respectively.

In regional endoscopy centres, waiting lists were 58% lower in August 2025, representing 23,362 fewer patients than the peak recorded in June 2022. Primary care is playing a crucial role, with GPs treating 4,258 patients across five pathways as part of the primary care elective service, including vasectomy, dermatology, gynaecology, minor surgery, and musculoskeletal (MSK) treatments.

Minister Nesbitt concluded by highlighting the role of strong clinical leadership, including the appointment of Professor Mark Taylor as Clinical Director for Elective Care. "Professor Taylor's leadership and the dedication of staff across our health service are central to this progress," he stated. "We are changing how services work, clearing the longest waits, and building the foundations for a more sustainable system. Patients are already starting to feel the benefits. This momentum must continue, and it will."