Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has initiated a series of workshops with key health and social care leaders to prepare for upcoming winter pressures, fulfilling a commitment to proactive planning.

The first event focused on learning from recent months to improve patient and staff experiences. Minister Nesbitt acknowledged the 'particularly difficult' pressures faced by services, emphasising that emergency department (ED) pressures are symptomatic of systemic issues. "Today is an opportunity to explore the challenges we have faced, the root causes of these challenges and the impact on our workforce and on the patients," said the Minister. "It is very important that we identify all the hurdles that are getting in the way of improved patient flow through hospitals and work together as a system to address them as effectively as possible."

Three additional workshops are planned, with the aim of publishing the next winter plan in the summer. Attendees at the first event included senior HSC Trust and Department of Health officials, representatives from professional bodies, and the independent social care sector.

The Minister stressed the need for realism in the current financial climate but expressed confidence that improvements can be made within existing resources. "That is what today is about - ensuring winter planning will receive sustained attention and collective action from the whole health and social care system," he concluded.