Northern Ireland's health service is "sleepwalking into disaster", SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA has warned.

This warning comes after health and social care staff secured a pay settlement that restores pay parity with colleagues across the UK, an outcome that avoided the prospect of further strike action during the most pressurised time of year. Mr. McGrath acknowledged the pay settlement is a "huge relief to workers and patients alike," but firmly criticised the Executive for the excessive delay. He argued that if the necessary funding could be found now, it could have been made available months ago, sparing staff "months of confusion, mixed messaging and public infighting".

The MLA also claimed that the same lack of co-ordination has undermined preparation for the difficult winter months ahead. He stated that the Department of Health's Winter Preparedness Plan was published amid "confusion, delay and widespread criticism," and that it "still falls far short of what's needed to deal with record waiting lists, emergency department overcrowding and chronic workforce shortages."

Mr. McGrath concluded that this "annual cycle of crisis management" must end, calling for long-term workforce planning, fair funding, and genuine Executive coordination.