Former senator Máiría Cahill endures 49-hour wait in Belfast hospital emergency department

Published: 28 August 2025

Ms. Cahill had been suffering from abdominal pain for four months, making multiple hospital visits with inconclusive results. Despite her persistent symptoms, it was only after paying for a private ultrasound scan—out of “sheer desperation”—that gallstones were diagnosed. Her GP then referred her back to hospital, but she still faced a grueling wait time after presenting at the A&E on Sunday.

During her ordeal, Ms. Cahill posted updates on social media, noting her progress only after being admitted to a ward on Tuesday. She is now awaiting further clarity on whether she will qualify for gallbladder surgery.

Dr. Alan Stout, chair of the British Medical Association’s Northern Ireland Council, responded with shock, saying he was “watching with incredulity” at the length of her wait—even in August. Derry GP Dr. Tom Black, writing in the Irish News, added bleakly, “The NHS on offer in Northern Ireland is so bad we wouldn’t accept it for our pets,” declaring the system has “failed.”

Current figures highlight the failings: on Wednesday, the Royal’s emergency department recorded a patient wait time of 190 minutes to be seen, while Altnagelvin Hospital logged a maximum wait of 510 minutes.

Addressing the case, Belfast Trust initially stated that patients requiring admission are prioritized according to clinical urgency. In a follow-up statement, the trust expressed regret over Ms. Cahill’s prolonged wait, confirmed her admission as an inpatient, and stated she is undergoing further medical investigations to determine her appropriate care pathway.

Earlier this year, Dr. Stout warned of “intolerable pressure” on staff and growing patient harm caused by emergency department delays—highlighting the risk of moral injury to healthcare professionals forced to work under these strained conditions.

Responding to the crisis, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt recently announced £215 million in funding to address waiting lists and appointed Professor Mark Taylor to a new senior role focused on tackling the backlog.

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