Stormont: Health Minister warns of challenges for services but says "cuts with catastrophic impacts - not on my watch"

Northern Ireland's new Health Minister warned today (Monday) of the challenges ahead for services in the face of budgetary constraints.

But speaking in the Assembly this afternoon, Mike Nesbitt said that would not mean cutbacks having devastating consequences.

He told MLAs: "Those decisions would require reductions in acute beds, home care hours and care home beds - all having significant and sustained consequences for elective care, hospital discharges, patient flow, emergency department overcrowding and ambulance handover times.

"In short, catastrophic cuts will simply make the situation worse.

"Pressures on services and staff, already at severe levels, will be significantly intensified.

"It also means, that as we currently stand, there is no feasible route to affording pay awards.

"I recognise that I must play my part alongside all Executive colleagues to help deliver a hugely challenging budget - but for this to work, they and the members of this house also need to be willing to look at the very real challenges facing health and social care and therefore the most vulnerable in our society also.

"Let me be clear - cuts with catastrophic impacts - not on my watch."

Mr Nesbitt also added that he had been left stunned by briefings he has received on the budget situation facing health services