Jon Burrows, leader of the UUP, announced that a new health minister for Northern Ireland will be appointed on Thursday. The decision follows a disagreement regarding the withdrawal of emergency general surgery services from Causeway Hospital.
Burrows indicated that the process of selecting a new minister would be swift but not rushed. He declined to discuss potential candidates, stating that the announcement would be made once the decision is finalized. When asked if he had ruled himself out of the position, Burrows did not provide a direct answer, instead saying the public and journalists would learn the identity of the new minister at the time of the announcement. He added that he is willing to discuss the matter directly with Mike Nesbitt, the former health minister involved in the dispute.
The UUP leader described his party as being in a period of change, emphasizing the need to reconnect with the public and acknowledge past failures in delivering for the people of Northern Ireland. Burrows stated that a "circuit break" in politics is necessary and that the party's primary focus, alongside the new health minister, will be on reducing NHS waiting times.
This situation arises after a conflict between Burrows and Nesbitt over the decision to cease emergency general surgery at Causeway Hospital. It remains unclear whether Nesbitt will resign from his ministry or from the party itself following the dispute. Doug Beattie, a former UUP leader, departed the party in May, citing criticism of Burrows' leadership.