AQW 9944/17-22

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 09/11/2020
Answered On Date: 01/12/2020
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health whether he plans a new strategy to address waiting lists, given the second spike in COVID-19 cases; and what is the timescales for the strategy.

Answer:

Elective care waiting times were unacceptable before COVID-19 and regrettably they will be even worse after COVID-19.

The need to redirect HSC resources to respond to COVID-19 has unfortunately had an inevitable and serious impact on waiting lists.

The New Decade New Approach agreement published in January 2020 included a commitment to introduce a new action plan to address waiting times however, this has been delayed due to the need to focus our efforts on responding to the pandemic.

I am committed to the introduction of a new strategy and action plan and I hope that I will have the support of all Executive colleaugues in providing the necessary resources