Health Minister Robbie Butler has set out his vision for reforming Northern Ireland's health and social care system, calling for collective action across society to deliver safe, timely and high-quality services. Opening the NICON26 conference in Belfast on 7 October, and reflecting the theme Reset for All | Action By All, he highlighted progress achieved under the Health and Social Care (HSC) Reset Plan while stressing the need to maintain momentum.

Minister Butler said: "My ambition is a health and social care system that delivers safe, timely and high-quality care for the people of Northern Ireland. Reform cannot be achieved by any one organisation, profession or sector alone - everyone has a role to play.

"The HSC Reset Plan is driving meaningful change helping to improve access to care, expand community-based services, embrace digital innovation and make better use of our workforce. We must maintain this momentum.

"A crucial part of the vision for our communities to live healthier, more independent lives is through the Neighbourhood Model of Care, designed to bring services closer to people's homes through prevention, early intervention and stronger partnership working." Outlining concrete results to date, the Minister pointed to: Northern Ireland's regional thrombectomy service becoming the first in the UK to operate fully 24 hours a day, seven days a week; more than 36,800 additional patients receiving treatment, assessment or diagnostics in the first quarter of 2026/27; a 25% reduction in waiting lists across priority procedures; an endoscopy backlog cut by over 28,000 patients since June 2022; and over £300 million in efficiencies and savings delivered last year. He also cited the Lagan Valley Regional Day Procedure Centre, which has completed almost 26,000 procedures since opening and is the first centre of its kind on the island of Ireland to achieve Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) accreditation.

Butler cautioned that, while Reset is enabling long-term transformation, further action is essential to meet need and secure sustainability. He warned: "Waiting times remain too long, demand continues to grow and our financial challenges remain significant.

He concluded: "Reform and sustainability must go hand in hand. Reform is not about structures; it is about making care work better for patients, earlier, closer to home and when they need it. Together we can make a real difference now and for future generations."