AQW 22194/22-27

Mrs Michelle Guy
Alliance Party
Lagan Valley

Tabled Date: 07/02/2025
Answered On Date: 07/03/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health whether it is protocol for someone living in Northern Ireland, who has been initially treated in the Republic of Ireland but needs further, non-urgent, outpatient care in Northern Ireland, to be sent to an Emergency Department.

Answer:

There is no formal protocol about referring patients to Emergency Departments for follow up treatment after initial treatment abroad. GPs will use their clinical judgement when referring patients to secondary care. This could be to out-patient care for non-urgent follow-up, or to an Urgent Care Centre or Emergency Department for care that is time critical such as fracture management.