Northern Ireland's new health minister, Robbie Butler, has stated that his party leader has given him "no red lines" as he assumes the role following a policy dispute that led to his predecessor's resignation. Butler, appointed by Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) leader Jon Burrows, indicated that his decisions will be guided by "expert evidence opinion" and the "voices of the people."
His predecessor, Mike Nesbitt, resigned after a disagreement with Burrows concerning the withdrawal of emergency general surgery services from Causeway Hospital. Nesbitt stated he learned of Burrows's opposition to the service withdrawal through media monitoring, despite Burrows having publicly declared his stance against it at a meeting.
Butler acknowledged a "disconnect" between medical officials and the individuals who will be impacted by potential changes at Causeway Hospital. "What my job is at the moment is to try and repair that disconnect and then take my time not to make a hasty decision but to make the right decision, and that's my promise to the people of Causeway," he told BBC News NI.
Butler pledged to work on convincing the public that any forthcoming changes, regardless of their location, are made in the best interests of the community. He emphasized that public input must be central to all decision-making processes.