Speaking in the assembly on Tuesday, SDLP assembly member Colin McGrath asked Nesbitt if he agrees that a “concrete, tangible, fully funded, time-bound and full Executive supported programme” is needed to “make the changes that we need and to save our health service”.
Responding, Nesbitt said that “in terms of definites, you will have noticed me say that I have set a target of an additional 46,000 outpatient assessments and 11,000 treatments by 2027”.
“So, there is some concrete, time-bound detail within that plan. Of course I would like more, I think everybody would like more but this is the real world,” he said.
Nesbitt confirmed that he will be meeting with trade unions later on Tuesday.
In a response to a question by UUP MLA Alan Chambers, Nesbitt said that it is his “intent” that “all things being equal” when the pay bodies make their recommendations for pay for financial year 2025/26 that he “will accept them and begin the implementation of those awards with immediate effect”.
