AQW 1379/16-21

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 17/06/2016
Answered On Date: 27/06/2016
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health to outline the next steps for the physiotherapy self-referral pilot in the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust.

Answer:

The pilot scheme for Direct Access Physiotherapy was introduced in the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust on 15 June 2015 and was scheduled to run until 31 March 2016.

An evaluation of the pilot has demonstrated positive outcomes, however, anticipated patterns of demand have not normalised in line with patterns in Britain. On that basis the pilot project has been extended until the end of June 2016.

Further evaluation will determine the extent to which the pilot has met its objectives; this will help determine the way forward with regard to potential regional roll out.