AQW 19585/17-22

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 27/05/2021
Answered On Date: 20/08/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health what action he is taking to ensure all paramilitary emblems and signs are removed from GP surgeries and health clinics.

Answer:

GPs contract with the Health and Social Care Board to provide general medical services for their registered patients.

Under the General Medical Services (GMS) Contract, a GMS contractor shall:

(a)comply with all relevant legislation, and

(b)have regard to all relevant guidance issued by the Board or the Department.

The Fair Employment and Treatment (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 and section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 respectively place an obligation on employers and all public bodies to promote a good and harmonious working environment and atmosphere in which no-one feels under threat or intimidated because of his or her religious belief or political opinion, and to promote equality of opportunity between people with different religious beliefs and political opinions

If any individual GP practice or health clinic does not comply with this legislation then this should be brought to the attention of the Health and Social Care Board, with whom each GMS contract is agreed, for investigation.