AQW 3594/22-27

Mr Nick Mathison
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 27/09/2022
Answered On Date: 11/10/2022
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Finance what the target time is for NICS staff to be seen by Occupational Health Service following a referral.

Answer:

The Occupational Health Service (OHS) 12 day target for completion of sick absence referrals was suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic. OHS is currently working through the backlog of cases created during the pandemic, and as a result of ongoing challenges faced due to increasing demands on services and resourcing pressures in Medical Officer and Nursing positions. The operating model for the OHS is currently under review and recruitment competitions for key medical positions are underway.