Causeway Hospital: A Strategic Vision – May 2026
Causeway Hospital is and will remain an important part of our acute hospital network and will continue to play an important role in the health and wellbeing of our local population.
We understand that Causeway is highly valued by the local community and people are concerned about its future.
In March 2024, we restated our commitment to Causeway as an acute hospital and published our Vision for how it can continue to develop and thrive.
Two years on, and as Causeway Hospital celebrates its 25th year, we are reflecting on the progress we have made on delivering that vision.
This document sets out some of our achievements to date on realising our long-term ambitions for the Causeway site.
Our Vision for Causeway Hospital
Working in partnership
Strengthening links with GPs, community, voluntary and independent providers.
Same Day Emergency Care
Investing in a range of specialist services at Causeway.
Focus on integrated care
Working with partners to provide joined up care to our population.
Elective Care
Becoming an elective and diagnostic hub for the North West region.
Sustainability and innovation
Creating sustainable, cost-efficient health services for generations to come.
Reshaping mental health services
Tailoring service provision to support our community.
Our workforce
Committed to developing, attracting and retaining staff.
A bright future
Causeway continues to play a vital role in our hospital network.
Delivering on our Vision
Reflecting on your progress, two years on
We launched our Strategic Vision for Causeway Hospital in March 2024.
Two years on, we are proud of the progress we have made as we deliver on the ambitions contained within our Vision.
As Causeway Hospital marks its 25th year, we remain committed to its future. It is, and will remain, an important part of our acute hospital network and we are continuing to invest in and transform services for the local community.
“The care and attention by all staff – doctors, nurses, cleaners, catering – has all been fantastic. What a fantastic team.”
– Care Opinion, 16 July 2024
Working in partnership
The Causeway Hospital Partnership Board was established in September 2024 and meets three times a year.
The partnership brings together senior Trust staff and representatives from a number of organisations in the community and voluntary sector, local councils, the local Policing and Community Partnership, and colleagues in the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service.
The aim of the partnership is to drive progress and momentum around our Vision. This partnership working is helping to shape how we transform and deliver services in the Causeway area to best meet the needs of our local population.
“My daughter attended the Day Procedure Unit at Causeway and received exemplary care and reassurance from all of the staff.”
– Care Opinion, 12 March 2026
Our workforce
We know that our people are our greatest asset. Our workforce is key to the successful delivery of our Vision for Causeway.
Over recent months, we have successfully recruited a consultant cardiologist and a consultant paediatrician to our Causeway team. By investing in our Emergency Department, we have been able to expand our consultant team and over the last two years, we have appointed six permanent Specialty Doctors across key specialties including cardiology, frailty and paediatrics.
In October 2025, we appointed Causeway Hospital’s first Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP), with further ANP expansion planned in the future.
“My mother fell just after Christmas and attended the Emergency Department of Causeway Hospital. She is in her 70s and has dementia. The staff were incredible with her. A very caring bunch of medical professionals that work in an incredibly stressful environment. ” – Care Opinion, 16 January 2025
Elective care
A new MRI scanner has been operational since October 2025 and is commissioned to provide 4,000 scans each year.
Having an MRI scanner at Causeway means patients no longer need to travel to Antrim Area Hospital as scans can now be provided on-site. This has reduced the number of ambulance journeys required to transfer patients between hospital sites while crucially also providing a better experience for our patients.
We are committed to developing Causeway Hospital as an elective and diagnostic hub serving the entire North West. Following a public consultation on the review of general surgery services within our Trust, the Board has put forward a recommendation to the Department of Health setting out a proposed future model for the delivery of this service.
We are working with colleagues in the Department of Health to increase the number of theatre sessions for elective surgery at Causeway, which will help to reduce waiting lists and deliver better outcomes for our community.
“I spent five days in Causeway Hospital following my bowel surgery. I was very well cared for… the friendly interaction with staff and other patients made the time pass much quicker and helped to keep me in good spirits.” – Care Opinion, 23 June 2025
Same Day Emergency Care
Over the last two years, we have invested £1.8m in ambulatory (same day) care pathways.
This provides assessment, diagnostics and treatment to around 700 patients each month.
The surgical, acute medical and frailty ambulatory units can also receive direct referrals from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, GPs and the Emergency Department.
This is helping to reduce attendances at our Emergency Departments and hospital admissions, while also delivering better outcomes and patient experiences for our community.
“I just want to put on record my appreciation to the staff of the Causeway Acute Ambulatory Unit. The camaraderie amongst staff and patients was lovely with people looking out for each other. Well done Team NHSCT.” – Care Opinion, 12 July 2024
Sustainability and innovation
We have completed a £1.2m solar roof installation at Causeway Hospital which will generate around 1 million kWh of electricity to power the site each year. The project is the largest solar roof installation on any Health and Social Care building in the region.
We believe Causeway can be a best-in-class example of a ‘green’ healthcare site and with its proximity to the UNESCO-designated Giant’s Causeway, it is well placed to lead the way in creating a more sustainable, greener future to help our Health and Social Care system reduce its carbon emissions.
“From the moment I arrived I was given the warmest welcome.” – Care Opinion, 24 April 2026
Reshaping mental health services
We are currently awaiting confirmation of funding to proceed with the next stage of Birch Hill Centre for Mental Health in Antrim. This will see the eventual relocation of our current inpatient beds at Ross Thomson Unit to the new, bespoke centre.
This will provide us with an opportunity to reshape our mental health service delivery to meet the needs of the local population. There will be no reduction in services in the Causeway Coast and Glens area as we will continue to provide the full range of community mental health services.
We recently secured permanent funding to provide a 24/7 mental health liaison service at our Emergency Department in Causeway Hospital.
The liaison service works in partnership with other teams to provide specialist mental health assessment and support to individuals in wards as well as those attending the Emergency Department, resulting in more timely assessment and referral pathways for ongoing treatment and care.
“I felt reassured at every stage and most of all l was shown kindness and empathy.” – Care Opinion, 30 March 2026
Focus on integrated care
Strengthening our links with the local community and delivering our services closer to home for people, is a big focus of our vision for Causeway.
Our Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) model has been operating in Causeway Coast and Glens for six years and is established in 17 general practices in the area.
Since it was established in 2020, Causeway MDT has carried out more than 112,000 consultations and seen more than 32,000 patients. Of those patients, only 4% needed an onward referral to secondary care.
We hope to build on the success of the MDT service as we move towards the implementation of the Neighbourhood Model of Care in the Causeway area.
“My experience under the Lotus team in Causeway was amazing. They listened to any concerns I had, eased all my anxiety at every appointment and they were there when I needed them, even over text.” – Care Opinion, 27 March 2026
Feedback
The Northern Trust welcomes your feedback.
If you have any comments or queries please email InvolvingYou@northerntrust.hscni.net or contact the Involvement Team at:
Route Complex
8e Coleraine Road
Ballymoney
Co Antrim
BT53 6BP
Telephone: 028 2766 1377
Alternative formats
Causeway Hospital: A Strategic Vision – May (PDF)
This document is also available in an Easy Read, Word and Sign Language format. Alternative formats, including Braille, disk, audio and minority languages can also be made available by contacting the Involvement Team.
