Debate contribution: Facial Palsy
Debate contribution by Mr Robbie Butler on .
- MLA
- Mr Robbie Butler
- Party at the time
- Ulster Unionist Party
- Date
- 21 September 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution (made as a minister)
- Business
- Oral Answers to Questions
- Heading
- Facial Palsy
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5742223
Read the official Assembly record
Text
I thank the Member for his question. A facial palsy regional planning group was established in September 2023. That group developed an action plan, which included the establishment of a local and regional pathway to assist with assessment and treatment. In addition, a new nidirect web page was developed in order to assist patients who experience facial palsy and its symptoms. That web page signposts patients to helpful information whilst waiting for assessment. Through the development of a local pathway, it was determined that specialist facial therapy input provides an essential part of conservative management during recovery. To that end, a small amount of funding was identified through waiting list initiatives funding to address the recurrent list of patients who were waiting to be seen by a facial therapist and to develop a future pathway to a regional facial therapy service, which is part of the multidisciplinary team model. My Department has now allocated funding to enable specialist facial therapy input to be delivered in the Belfast and South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust areas. By expanding the current service provision, we are now able to deliver a range of benefits, including standardisation of care through the introduction of clear referral and treatment pathways, as well as improved patient outcomes through early intervention and access to specialist therapy. I hope that further recurrent investment can be secured in order to put in place an enhanced regional service for those who require highly specialised services. However, that is not possible at present, given wider service pressures and priorities.
258 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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