Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has told the most senior figures in Northern Ireland’s health service that ultimate responsibility for safety and quality of care rests squarely with them, following two public inquiries that uncovered serious and disturbing failures.

Around 100 trust chief executives, chairs, and leaders from bodies including the Public Health Agency and the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority attended a summit called by the minister in response to reports from the Muckamore Abbey Hospital and Urology Services inquiries.

The minister described the findings as a stark indictment of breakdowns in systems, oversight, and culture, and said the experiences had shaken public confidence in the health and social care system.

He offered an unreserved apology to the patients and families affected, acknowledging that they had been let down by services they trusted.

Mr Nesbitt said that while the vast majority of the nearly 87,000 health and care staff are dedicated and compassionate, failings must be met with full accountability, including HR processes, regulatory action, professional sanctions, and criminal law where warranted.

He told the assembled leaders that their responsibility for assuring safe, high-quality care cannot be shared or delegated, and demanded that recommendations from the inquiries be implemented with pace and commitment.

The summit also heard about ongoing policy work intended to foster an open and learning culture, including the Being Open Framework, Being Human Framework, incoming Duty of Candour legislation, a new complaints handling process, and newly established patient safety and quality committees.

The minister said those in charge have a sacred duty to leave the health and social care system in better shape for the next generation.