AQW 45938/22-27

Ms Kate Nicholl
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 11/05/2026
Answered On Date: 01/06/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health to detail when his proposed reforms to the requirement for all prospective childcare workers to provide a GP countersigned health assessment prior to commencing work with children will be implemented in practice.

Revised Answer:

I have asked HSC Trusts to implement changes to the requirement for all childcare workers to have their GP countersign their health declaration without delay, and my officials have started to receive positive feedback from day care providers who have already been able to recruit staff more quickly due to the individuals not being required to seek input from their GP.