A farming campaign group has called on the new Health Minister to ‘end the uncertainty for the people of the north coast’ and reject a recommendation to remove Emergency General Surgery (EGS) from Coleraine’s Causeway Hospital.

William Taylor of Farmers for Action (FFA) said that it was ‘time for action’ from new Minister Robbie Butler, adding that ‘warnings from the north coast must be heeded’.

UUP Lagan Valley MLA Mr Butler stepped into the position of Health Minister following the resignation of Mike Nesbitt over a row with his UUP leader, Jon Burrows.

Speaking during a public meeting in Coleraine on the future of Causeway Hospital, Mr Burrows said: “The recommendation of the Trust to close the emergency surgery in Causeway Hospital does not have my support. I do not agree with it and I will never agree with it. I can’t be any clearer than that.”

placeholder image — William Taylor of Farmers for Action.

Mr Nesbitt then resigned saying: “I am not the sort of Minister who is happy to discover the Leader's view of issues under my purview by having to monitor the media.”

Lagan Valley MLA Robbie Butler appointed as new Minister of Health

Taking over the role of Minister, Robbie Butler said he was “ready to get to work”, acknowledging the enormous responsibility of the role.

FFA’s William Taylor said: “This new Minister goes into place with the strong backing of party leader Jon Burrows who stated in Coleraine Town Hall on August 13 re the Northern Trust’s attempts to remove emergency surgery from Causeway that it would not be happening on his watch – now it’s time for action!

New Health Minister Robbie Butler (centre) with UUP leader Jon Burrows (left) and DUP's Edwin Poots (right).

"With very little mandate time left, the new Health Minister must immediately end the uncertainty for the people of the North Coast and particularly the staff at Causeway Hospital Coleraine who do invaluable work, as everyone knows.

“Agriculture is the most unsafe industry to work in because a cash strapped industry can never be a safe industry. The warnings from the north coast must be heeded and Jon Burrows must see that his new Health Minister delivers for the people ahead of an election.”

Mr Taylor added that both the FFA and rural hospital campaigners in Northern Ireland have requested to meet Minister Butler urgently because: “The fight to save the Causeway goes on”.