AQW 38431/22-27

Mrs Michelle Guy
Alliance Party
Lagan Valley

Tabled Date: 16/01/2026
Answered On Date: 12/02/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health, pursuant to AQW 36768/22-27, to detail (i) how GPs can request a case review by an Effective Use of Resources (EUR) panel; and (ii) whether the EUR panel is independent of the Health and Social Care Trusts.

Answer:

An appeals process can be developed whereby a consultant or GP can make an appeal on behalf of the patient. The appeal panel will be led by the SPPG and will have clinical input from Trusts and the PHA.

An appeal can be made if the patient does not meet the criteria in the EUR policy commissioning position but the consultant/GP believes that there are exceptional clinical circumstances that mean the patient should undergo the required procedure/intervention. The panel will consider the appeals and ensure that the decision making processes are fair, equitable and ethical.

The consultant/GP must:

Provide details as to what extent, if at all, the patient meets the criteria;

Describe why the consultant/GP considers the patient to be clinically exceptional.

The definition of exceptionality on which appeals will be considered is:

The patient is significantly different to the general population of patients with the condition in question.

AND

Is likely to gain significantly more benefit from the intervention than might normally be expected for patients with that condition.

A small panel will be convened, comprising SPPG, Public Health Agency (PHA) and HSC Trust representation (none of whom to have any previous involvement in the individual case) to assess the exceptional clinical circumstances. Every appeal shall be considered on its own merits, although particular care will be taken to identify and consider any exceptional circumstances that might demand or permit a departure from established policy and practice.

Appeals should only be submitted to SPPG via a GP or Consultant and emailed via eur@hscnni.net