AQW 40268/22-27

Mrs Michelle Guy
Alliance Party
Lagan Valley

Tabled Date: 10/02/2026
Answered On Date: 26/02/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health to detail any ways, Emergency Departments are supported to appropriately assess and manage patients, with rare or multi-system conditions.

Answer:

All Emergency Departments (EDs) are designed and equipped to assess and manage a broad range of presenting conditions, including complex, multisystem and rare conditions. ED clinicians are trained to identify undifferentiated and atypical presentations and to escalate care appropriately.

ED teams have access to senior decisionmakers, specialty advice, regional clinical pathways and diagnostic support to assist in the management of patients with complex needs. Digital health records and established referral mechanisms enable clinicians to access relevant information and specialist input where required.

My Department does not mandate specific additional systems or facilities for the assessment of patients with rare or multisystem conditions within EDs. Instead, ED services are structured to provide flexible, responsive care that can accommodate the full range of patient presentations.