Debate contribution: Hospital Appointments: Postal Services

Debate contribution by Mr Mike Nesbitt on 5 May 2026.

MLA: Mr Mike Nesbitt
Party at the time: Ulster Unionist Party
Date: 5 May 2026
Type: Debate contribution (made as a minister)
Business: Oral Answers to Questions
Heading: Hospital Appointments: Postal Services
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5524648

Text

There is a protocol. Trusts are required to follow the integrated elective access protocol (IEAP). That has been developed to define the roles and responsibilities of all those involved in the elective care pathway. IEAP outlines good practice to assist staff with the effective management of waiting lists. The protocol aims to ensure that a consistent approach is taken across all trusts. In compliance with the guidelines, patients who do not attend their appointment due to unforeseen or exceptional circumstances, such as postal delivery delays, have a four-week period to contact their health and social care trust to be reinstated on to the waiting list from the original date of their appointment. That will prevent patients from being disadvantaged because of missed appointments. I hope that that reassures the Member.

130 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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