AQW 49363/22-27

Mr Nick Mathison
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 23/06/2026
Answered On Date: 05/08/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health whether there is a diagnostic pathway for functional neurological disorder.

Answer:

Precise numbers of patients with a diagnosis of functional neurological disorder (FND) are not currently captured due to limitations in coding and data systems. My Department’s Review estimates there are several thousand people in Northern Ireland with FND.

In regards to diagnostic pathways, I would confirm that strong evidence exists to guide best practice and that FND is one of the condition-specific pathways the Review report recommends is finalised within the first two years of implementation.

Likewise, for treatment, the evidence base is well-established and will be taken forward as one of the condition-specific pathways referred above. However, the service infrastructure to operate it in Northern Ireland is not yet resourced.

Concerning recommendations on FND, the Review report proposes a range of actions which, if implemented, will have a significant impact on improving timely and equitable access to care and support for all people with a neurological condition, including FND. These include:

The establishment of Local Neurology Teams with a focus on rehabilitation, and symptom management in a community setting;

The establishment of referral management services in each Trust area to support GPs to manage patients in a primary care setting where appropriate; and

A commitment to multi-disciplinary working.

In regard to signposting options, these are limited and one of the gaps the Review’s recommendations are designed to close. In this context, people with FND are generally referred to community and voluntary sector organisations such as FND Matters Northern Ireland (NI) for support.

You should be aware that progress on implementing the Review’ recommendations will be dependent on securing additional investment and expanding the neurology workforce, which will be challenging given existing budgetary and resourcing challenges.