AQW 23672/22-27
Mr Peter McReynolds
Alliance Party
East Belfast
Tabled Date: 03/03/2025
Answered On Date: 06/03/2025
Priority Written: Yes
Question:
To ask the Minister of Health to detail the safeguards for patients who purchase private (i) diagnosis; (ii) assessment; and (iii) treatment in the event of a private practice closing.
Answer:
The Health and Social Care system in Northern Ireland provides publicly funded health and social care, including general medical services, primarily for the ordinarily resident population of Northern Ireland. The Department does not provide private healthcare. Eligibility to access publicly funded healthcare in Northern Ireland is based on ordinary residence. A person will be ordinarily resident in Northern Ireland when that residence is lawful, voluntary, and for a settled purpose as part of the regular order of their life for the time being, whether of short or long duration. A person who is ordinarily resident is entitled to access publicly funded healthcare. Individuals choosing to procure healthcare privately are effectively stepping outside of the health and social care system. In Northern Ireland, independent clinics and hospitals, which meet the criteria defined in the Independent Health Care Regulations 2005, are required to be registered with the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA), the body responsible for the regulation (registration, inspection and enforcement) of healthcare establishments and agencies in Northern Ireland. Once a private practice closes, the RQIA ceases to have a role.
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