Mike Nesbitt resigned as Northern Ireland's health minister on Tuesday following a dispute with Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows.

The row centred on the proposed removal of emergency general surgery from Causeway Hospital in Coleraine, County Londonderry. The Northern Health and Social Care Trust had recommended the service closure.

Burrows attended a public meeting in Coleraine and stated he did not support the trust's recommendation. Nesbitt's resignation letter, dated August 18, said Burrows had previously issued a red line on puberty blockers and the Pathways trial, and had now introduced a second red line regarding emergency general surgery at Causeway.

The letter said Nesbitt was not willing to learn his party leader's views on health matters through media reporting. He wrote that he had offered a way to manage the situation on Monday but received no timely response.

Burrows thanked Nesbitt for his service and said his direction on reform, tackling health inequalities and reducing waiting lists was correct. He added that reform must address regional imbalances and involve genuine engagement with communities and staff. Burrows said reform must be done with communities, not to them, and the strength of local feeling around Causeway showed what happens when communities feel decisions are imposed rather than made with them.

First Minister Michelle O'Neill said she was sorry to see Nesbitt resign, noting his constructive role in the Executive and progress on waiting lists. Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly also thanked him and said the new minister must continue transformation work.

Secretary of State Chris Bryant said it was vital for patients that work continues without interruption and he looked forward to a new appointment. Health Committee chair Philip McGuigan said he would seek an urgent briefing from the department's permanent secretary and that major decisions must not leave patients facing uncertainty.

Nesbitt had been health minister since 2024. He previously led the UUP from 2013 to 2017 and again from 2024 until earlier this year when Burrows became leader. In March, he told the Stormont health committee that he would resign if he felt his party was trying to influence his decisions.