Northern Ireland has the amongst the longest NHS waiting lists in the UK. This is totally unacceptable and I have lobbied the Health Minister for the provision of additional funding to secure the extra staff and beds that are essential if waiting times are to be reduced. Working closely with the South Eastern Trust, I have helped secure a multi-million pound capital investment for our local Lagan Valley hospital. This has enabled the refurbishment of many parts of the hospital and the provision of new medical and surgical facilities, including a new day procedure unit. Further substantial investment will be announced in the near future, which will help secure the future of our local hospital.