To ask the Minister of Health to detail (i) when he intends to publish the outcome and decisions arising from the public consultation Hospitals Creating a Network for Better Outcomes, which closed in February 2025; and (ii) the rationale for the delay in publishing the outcome.

I published the report of the findings of the public consultation on ‘Hospitals – Creating a Network for Better Outcomes’ on 3 September 2026. The report is available on the Department’s website at www.health-ni.gov.uk/consultations/hospitals-creating-network-better-outcomes-public-consultation The consultation received approximately 30,000 responses. It took some time to analyse and consider these.

It is important to note that work to improve and reform our Health and Social Care System takes place continually and is not paused while consultation findings are being considered. Therefore, action has already been taken in a number of areas which are relevant to the findings of the consultation. These are set out in the final report.