AQW 1503/16-21

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 21/06/2016
Answered On Date: 08/07/2016
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health the processes in place to extend specialist services for people with ME; and how the Health and Social Care Board will ensure effective engagement with people with ME and charities that represent them.

Answer:

The Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) plans, subject to the identification of additional resources, to: extend the specialist healthcare currently provided for people diagnosed with ME in the Belfast and Northern Health and Social Care (HSC) Trusts, to all HSC Trusts; and, appoint a regional Consultant lead to provide specialist advice and guidance to GPs and other staff delivering Trust services to ME patients.

The HSCB has engagement processes in place for service users and their representatives, including ME charities, and ensures involvement of stakeholders at important milestones.