AQW 44551/22-27

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 22/04/2026
Answered On Date: 16/06/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health whether any proactive national programme is in place, or is planned, to examine the sensory health and well-being of people aged 50 and over, including hearing, sight and cognitive assessments.

Answer:

There is currently no proactive, population-wide programme in Northern Ireland that routinely invites all individuals aged 50 and over for combined sight, hearing and cognitive assessment.

However, the Northern Ireland Cohort for the Longitudinal Study of Ageing (NICOLA) provides an important research resource. NICOLA is an ongoing study of over 8,000 adults aged 50+ that collects data on health, wellbeing, and social factors to support understanding of ageing and independence. In addition to visual function, retinal imaging, hearing and cognitive measures NICOLA captures a rich and comprehensive range of wellbeing information through its Computer Assisted Personal Interview (CAPI) and self-completion components.

In terms of routine practice, cognitive assessment is delivered through existing services, with each Health and Social Care Trust providing access via Community Mental Health Teams for Older People (CMHTOP). This includes memory services or pathways primarily for those aged 65 and over who present with memory concerns.

Assessments are also undertaken in GP practices and by specialist services such as psychogeriatric teams. These arrangements are referral-based and responsive to clinical need, covering sensory and cognitive health for the wider population aged 50 and over.

My Department continues to keep service provision under review to ensure that the needs of our ageing population are appropriately met.