AQW 29035/22-27

Mr Danny Donnelly
Alliance Party
East Antrim

Tabled Date: 20/06/2025
Answered On Date: 07/07/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health, given that Northern Ireland remains the only UK region without publicly funded bariatric surgery, whether patients referred elsewhere in the UK for surgery are able to access adequate and safe postoperative care and long-term follow-up within Northern Ireland.

Answer:

Work is currently being taken forward by my Department to develop a Regional Obesity Management service specification. The aim of service is to provide support to individuals who are struggling with obesity or being overweight, with access criteria developed for the service.

In its first phase, which is expected to commence early 2026, the focus will be on the provision of medical injections for weight loss, with associated lifestyle support to ensure maximum effectiveness.

As work progresses, there may be further phases to this service development to include other interventions, such as bariatric (weight loss) surgery, including postoperative care and long-term follow-up, subject to funding.

Whilst bariatric surgery is not currently available in NI, it may be possible for patients to be transferred to other parts of the UK for surgery via the Extra Contractual Referral scheme, subject to clinical exceptionality. Under this scheme, patients may be entitled to appropriate post-operative support in line with clinical guidelines.