AQW 31065/17-22

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 18/03/2022
Answered On Date: 25/03/2022
Priority Written: Yes

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health what type of engagement was carried out with people, who are clinically extremely vulnerable to COVID-19, prior to providing them with the current guidance.

Answer:

Officials from within my Department continue to work closely with the Patient and Client Council (PCC), as part of ongoing engagement with those at increased risk from COVID-19.

Prior to providing the current guidance, PCC hosted a facilitated virtual engagement event for those with an interest in Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV) on behalf of my Department, with a range of members of the public and representatives from the sector attending the event on the 21st December 2021.

Guidance is reviewed and updated regularly in response to the latest medical and scientific evidence as well as the wider strategic context relating to the Pandemic. The latest advice for those at increased risk from COVID-19 is available on NI Direct:

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-people-higher-risk-covid-19