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Health Minister Quits Over Hospital Surgery Row
19 Aug
Summary
- Minister resigned amid dispute with UUP leader.
- Row centers on emergency general surgery at Causeway Hospital.
- UUP leader's public opposition conflicted with department policy.

Mike Nesbitt has stepped down from his role as health minister. This decision follows a notable dispute with UUP leader Jon Burrows. The core of their disagreement centered on the proposed withdrawal of emergency general surgery (EGS) services from Causeway Hospital.
Jon Burrows, a North Antrim MLA, had previously voiced his opposition to the removal of EGS from Causeway. This public stance seemed to be at odds with the Department of Health's policy. The Northern Health Trust had earlier recommended consolidating EGS to a single hospital site within its network.