SDLP MLA and Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath has demanded urgent assurances following reports that the roof of the newly constructed Emergency Department at the Ulster Hospital suffered a significant leak, resulting in patients being warned to attend only for life-threatening issues.

Speaking after the incident, which reportedly occurred on Sunday, 20 July, Mr McGrath stated: "It is absolutely shocking that the roof of a newly constructed Emergency department – opened less than two years ago – has failed to the point that patients have to be turned away. This is not a minor snag or a small teething issue. This is a fundamental failure in a critical piece of healthcare infrastructure." The newly built Emergency Department, which opened its doors in September 2023, is a key part of the Ulster Hospital's major redevelopment. Mr McGrath highlighted the impact on staff and patients, asserting that the health service, already "stretched beyond capacity," does not need "brand new facilities to be falling apart at the seams." He added that hardworking staff "should be able to work in an environment that enables them to best perform the vital jobs they do, and this clearly impacts on the service and care they can provide."

Mr McGrath drew parallels with issues seen at the new maternity hospital in Belfast, noting that "serious problems emerge within new builds and water infrastructure, which raises wider concerns about quality assurance, oversight, and accountability in major health infrastructure projects."

The SDLP MLA called for immediate transparency to determine the cause of the failure and announced his intention to write to the Health Minister. He stressed the need for the Minister to ensure that "our health infrastructure – particularly when it is brand new - is fit for purpose."