7 August 2025

SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA has urged Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to address nurse staffing issues in the Belfast Trust.

He was speaking after a number of children had chemotherapy treatment delayed due to a lack of specialist nurses available.

South Down MLA Mr McGrath said:

“Understandably there is serious concern following reports today that children have had important treatment delayed due to a lack of staff. This must be incredibly difficult for these children and their families, finding out at short notice that treatment had been briefly postponed. Any cancer journey is difficult, but this will add extra worry and frustration at an already very challenging time.

“Staff absences, planned and unplanned, happen everywhere and they have to be managed, but we should not be finding ourselves in a position where cancer treatment cannot go ahead as a result. I accept the pressure staff are under, but there should be systems and backup plans in place to ensure we never find ourselves in the position we’re in today.

“I have contacted the Health Minister to ask what steps are being taken to get these children treatment, what support is in place for staff and what he is doing to ensure that this never happens again. This is yet another example of a health service at breaking point, and these children and their families are suffering as a result.”