AQW 23756/22-27

Mr Peter McReynolds
Alliance Party
East Belfast

Tabled Date: 04/03/2025
Answered On Date: 11/03/2025
Priority Written: Yes

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health to detail any recourse patients have when a private medical practice closes prior to the competition of diagnosis, assessment or treatment.

Answer:

If a service user/patient is dissatisfied with the standard of care and treatment (or lack thereof) from a provider that has now ceased operating they may share their concerns with the relevant professional regulatory body (for example: GMC, GDC, NMC, NISCC, HCPC); the provider's medico-legal indemnifier; or commence legal action against the provider.

If the service was registered with RQIA it would treat this as intelligence to determine if there was sufficient evidence of a breach of the relevant regulations or minimum standards, and consider any follow up action required.