Minister removes Belfast Trust chair but MLA insists department has questions to answer
Mr Mulgrew will leave the post on Friday and the department said the process for filling that position is being initiated as a priority.
The Belfast Trust has been under the highest level of intervention following the findings of a report into bullying and poor behaviour within the Royal Victoria Hospital's cardiac surgery unit.
Pressure has also been mounting over capital delays and overspend on the Maternity Hospital.
The BBC has reported that Mr Nesbitt decided on a change of leadership at the trust, saying he believes a fresh start is required.
The minister and department thanked Mr Mulgrew for his contribution to the trust and the wider health and social care system.
The Belfast Trust's interim chief executive Maureen Edwards extended her 'sincere thanks to Ciaran for his unwavering support, contribution and commitment during his time as trust chairman".
She said Mr Mulgrew had helped the trust through some challenging times since his appointment.
"In particular, he has shown courage and leadership over the last few months in bringing focus and committing to addressing issues around culture and behaviours in our organisation," she said.
"Ciaran always acknowledges the fantastic work of staff in Belfast Trust and is proud of their many achievements. He is leaving the organisation with our gratitude and best wishes for the future.
"I wish to reassure our staff and the public that we will continue to make tangible improvements across the organisation to benefit staff, patients and service users."
'There is a wider systemic problem within the Belfast Trust that will not be resolved by simply removing one individual' – Dianne Dodds
Mr Mulgrew's Belfast Trust profile says he is a native of Andersonstown, west Belfast. He became chairman of the Belfast Trust in April 2023.
He was previously managing director and owner operator of Niche Drinks Co. Ltd, a successful alcoholic drinks manufacturer and marketeer based in Derry's Waterside. The business was sold to MGP Luxco, a US-based plc. in 2021.
Mr Mulgrew was educated at Queen's University, Belfast and has a Master's degree from Napier University, Edinburgh.
Whilst based in the north-west, he served as a non-executive director of Londonderry Port and Harbour Commission; Altnagelvin Hospital Trust; and the Western Health and Social Care Trust.
He is also currently a non-executive director of Invest Northern Ireland, the Trust website states.
News Catch up: July 1st 2025
DUP health spokesperson Diane Dodds said his departure is a reflection of the scale of the turmoil within that organisation, but that responsibility 'goes much wider' than one individual.
She said: 'Removal of the chair is testament to the sheer scale of crisis within the Belfast Trust. There have been a series of scandals over recent months and this reflects that.
'However, it should be remembered that many of these issues predated the current chair's tenure.
'Responsibilities within the Trust go much wider than simply one individual and the Department of Health will have had an awareness of these issues also.'
She added: 'There is a wider systemic problem within the Belfast Trust that will not be resolved by simply removing one individual.
'However, we will need to hear more detail about what exactly has prompted this decision at this time. That is something I will continue to probe both within the Health Committee and beyond.'
Dr Alan Stout, chair of the BMA NI Council, said he 'instinctively' did not like the decision.
'We hear lots of dialogue about crises, culture and behaviour, but little about solutions and change,' he posted on social media.
'We have big culture issues. We are missing open spaces, freedom to speak up and safety guardians.
'It concerns me that individuals are targeted.'
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