25 March 2026
SDLP Waterside Councillor Martin Reilly has said the Executive must provide clarity on the redevelopment of Altnagelvin Hospital’s Emergency Department (ED).
He was speaking after Derry City and Strabane District Council received a response from Health Minister Mike Nesbitt confirming that full redevelopment would cost £72.8m.
The Minister confirmed the wider project is dependent on the Executive agreeing a multi-year budget and the Department of Health bringing forward a 10-year capital investment plan.
Councillor Martin Reilly said:
“This response will be deeply frustrating for people across Derry and the wider North West who know just how urgently this investment is needed. Altnagelvin’s Emergency Department is under significant pressure and has been for years, yet we still have no clear timeline for delivering the redevelopment that patients and staff need.
“The £0.5m for immediate improvements in terms of bathroom and other facilities is welcome, but they are no substitute for the major investment required to properly upgrade this facility to meet demand.
“What is most concerning is the lack of certainty. This project is now dependent on future budget decisions and long-term planning processes, with no guarantee of when or if it will be delivered. Given the Executive's failure to agree a multi-year budget thus far, it's hard to have confidence they will get this over the line.
“The Executive and Health Minister must provide clarity and commit to delivering this redevelopment. Every delay means more patients spending long hours in unsuitable conditions, putting further pressure on staff and a difficult environment for everyone involved."