AQW 15748/17-22

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 03/03/2021
Answered On Date: 16/03/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health for an update on the implementation of the findings of the Hyponaetremia Inquiry.

Answer:

The Inquiry into Hyponatraemia Related Deaths (IHRD) made 96 recommendations resulting in 120 individual actions. Prior to the pandemic, the IHRD workstreams had developed implementation plans for the majority of actions assigned to them. The IHRD implementation programme meetings were suspended in March 2020 to allow both Departmental and Health and Social Care staff to be re-directed to focus on COVID-critical work, and this continues to be the case.

Some work has been able to progress such as the Statutory Duty of Candour, the Independent Medical Examiner, the HSC Board Member Handbook, Being Open Guidance and the SAI Statement of Rights.

In the current environment, I accept the original timeline for implementation to be impacted upon; however, my officials continue to move forward work on the recommendations in tandem with dealing with the pressure on the system as a result of the pandemic.