AQW 31402/22-27
Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry
Tabled Date: 17/09/2025
Answered On Date: 14/10/2025
Priority Written: No
Question:
To ask the Minister of Health to detail (i) the current average waiting time for a memory clinic appointment, broken down by Health and Social Care Trust; and (ii) what steps are being taken to reduce delays in dementia diagnosis.
Answer:
The Health and Social Care Trusts do not routinely report on the average waiting time for a memory clinic appointment. As part of the Encompass roll-out, the Health and Social Care Trusts have now gone live with a new electronic patient record system. As the Trusts continue to transition to completely digitised records, the data generated within the context of service delivery is subject to a process of extensive validation. Until this process is complete, there may be gaps in the data that Trusts are able to submit for reporting purposes. My health officials work closely with the HSC Trusts and I can advise that the steps taken to reduce delays for a memory clinic appointments include; Exploring waiting list initiatives. Raising awareness of Dementia and early symptoms and the importance of seeking earlier diagnosis; Exploring the education and recruitment of Advanced Nurse Practitioners into Memory Services to aid with diagnosis. The WHSCT and the NHSCT currently have employed an Advanced Nurse Practitioner within their memory services. Active recruitment being undertaken by Trusts that are facing challenges with recruitment of Psychiatrists. Exploring the use of bank staff to increase capacity for diagnostic assessments in the Memory Service. Ongoing administration and clinical validation exercises to cleanse current waiting list.
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