AQW 4905/17-22

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 16/06/2020
Answered On Date: 20/08/2020
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health how he is going to include Myalgic Encephalomyelitis in the Review of Existing Care Pathways, as referenced in the Rebuilding HSC - Services Strategic Framework (s. 5.2), when there is no Clinical Lead for the condition in post; and how he will ensure that the voice of the 8000 people living with the condition in Northern Ireland is fed into this process.

Answer:

You will be aware that my Department has been taking forward the Regional Review of Neurology Services, and is working closely with the NI Neurological Charities Alliance, which includes the charity ME Support NI. While the work of the Review was paused in response to COVID-19, I will look for an early opportunity to restart this work within the process outlined in the Rebuilding Health and Social Care Services Service Framework published earlier this month

In addition, the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust has confirmed that it is progressing the recruitment of a medical lead for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis for Northern Ireland and an appointment is expected in the next few months. It will be a priority for the appointee to consult with patients and their carers, as well as with other health and social care staff in secondary, primary and community care involved in delivering their care, on the development of care pathways.