AQO 705/22-27

Miss Nuala McAllister
Alliance Party
North Belfast

Tabled Date: 20/06/2024
Answered On Date: 23/07/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health to provide an update on the publication of the Department’s blueprint for the reconfiguration of hospitals.

Answer:

Shortly after taking office, I received a copy of the draft Acute Hospital Reconfiguration Blueprint. I have rightly taken some time to consider it. Since we are in a pre-election period, I will not publish the draft Blueprint before the Westminster Election.

However, I can confirm that I intend to publish the draft Blueprint shortly after the upcoming Westminster General Election.

It is important to note that the Blueprint will be published in draft form with the intention to commence a pre-consultation engagement exercise with key stakeholders. This pre-consultation engagement exercise will be followed by a full public consultation later in the year.