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 5742227
Read the official Assembly record
Text
I will do my best to answer those three questions, if I can remember what the three of them were. I pay tribute to Janet Robb, who is a phenomenal advocate who is passionate about those services. She has contributed marvellously, as can be seen and heard on the nidirect web video. It is important to understand the context in which we are operating. On average, between three and five patients a year are assessed to be suitable for facial palsy surgery in Northern Ireland. Those referrals are managed by the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust as part of the network arrangement with a specialist provider in Great Britain. That arrangement was informal, but the strategic planning and performance group (SPPG) has recently secured funding to enable a formal arrangement to be put in place. Discussions have now commenced with clinicians in the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust and its UK counterparts to determine the best provider for that formal commissioning arrangement. Most facial palsy assessment and treatment is provided locally through local hospital specialities. The SPPG sends most of those patients who require specialist surgery and/or Botox treatment to GB via an extra-contractual referral (ECR) arrangement. My office has already been in contact with Ms Robb to arrange a meeting. Thank you for raising the matter today.
222 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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