AQW 3520/22-27

Mr Nick Mathison
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 26/09/2022
Answered On Date: 03/10/2022
Priority Written: Yes

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health (i) for an update on the work to evaluate Long Covid services; and (ii) when details of any future service model will be released.

Answer:

(i) My Department of Health is currently leading on a review of post-Covid services, to ensure that we continue to provide appropriate post-Covid services. This will be based on an assessment of the ongoing demand for services; a review of current service provision; and taking cognisance of service developments elsewhere in the UK. Subject to the outcome of that evaluation, a new business case will be developed for funding of post-Covid services in the long term.

(ii) It is anticipated that the evaluation will be completed, and a new business case developed for services going forward, by the end of the financial year, with a view to new services being in place as appropriate from 1 April 2023 onwards.