Every imported question, contribution and motion, with its classification. Unflagged, uncertain and not-yet-analysed records are all included so the analysis can be checked independently.
Recent investment has been made via the elective care framework, with seven additional sessions having been funded over a 42-week year as part of the first phase of endoscopy expansion. The bulk of that capacity is being delivered on the SWAH site and includes the provision of an additional consultant post based at…
Minister, thank you for your comments on the passing of Tom Frawley, which were befitting of a man of his stature. I, too, send my sympathy to his family. Minister, I welcome the progress that is being made on the business plan, albeit the pace is frustrating, and share with fellow elected reps for Fermanagh and South…
I am struck by the Member's remarks and give her my assurance that, when I leave the Chamber, I will instruct officials to ask the Western Health and Social Care Trust for a written report detailing — in detail — the pre-engagement, including who they have spoken to and which organisations those people represent. If…
Minister, I am really shocked at that response, because I am not aware of any Western Trust engagement on the vision plan. My question was going to be, "Will you outline how you will ensure that the public are aware of this planning, so that they can engage with it?". I do not know whether you can intervene with the…
Thank you, Mr Speaker. The Western Trust has assured me that it has undertaken a comprehensive early engagement exercise with stakeholders, involving all political parties, local businesses, service users, community groups, the Patient and Client Council (PCC), local media, community planning partners and Departments,…
It also stated that staff say that no significant changes have been made to improve the system. How can the public have confidence on this? We are another year down the line. What is the vision?
I thank the Minister for his comments about the Western Trust's chair. I, too, pass on my sympathies to his family. Minister, we had the pause to the emergency general surgery consultation process last July. You asked the trust to provide a vision plan. I am quite surprised by your answer, because I, as an elected…
I spoke during Members' statements earlier about the untimely passing of the Western Trust's chair, Dr Tom Frawley CBE. I repeat my condolences to his family, his friends and his many admirers. The Western Trust's vision for Fermanagh and west Tyrone is intended to provide a long-term framework for the delivery of…
It is a little early to be definitive about the statistical analysis of the disruption from the strikes, but some elective procedures will undoubtedly be postponed, which is a matter of deep regret for me. The doctors know that all that I am empowered to do is implement the 3·5% pay rise that the independent body…
Minister, what impact do you anticipate the industrial strike having on waiting times? I am aware of a patient who was sent home today after urgent testing because there would not be a doctor to interpret their results.
The statistics that I have quoted suggest that we are moving in the right direction. It is cold comfort for anybody who is waiting beyond the stipulated waiting time to know that other people may have benefited from the work that has gone into that, but I do not buy into the idea that there is total despair in the…
Minister, given that thousands of patients have died while on waiting lists in recent years, why should people have any confidence that delays in cancer diagnoses are not simply creating tomorrow's cancer treatment crisis?
The current waiting time is, I believe, just over five weeks, which is down from 12. That is cold comfort, given that the target is 14 days, but I will point out two issues to the Member. The first was the unacceptable variation between trusts. The Western Trust and the Southern Trust were the best and the worst. If…
— that is the same across the UK and across the world. What can be done to make sure that women are seen in a timely manner and that that wait of seven, eight or nine weeks is done away with?
Minister, that is a brilliant segue into the question that I will ask. Just over 5% of women who are now seen within the 14-day target for a suspected breast cancer in Northern Ireland. That has happened since the list was regionalised. I get the fact that cancer cases are rising, but —
Part of the answer is funding and resource. The elective care framework implementation and funding plan includes £13 million for endoscopy services and £12 million for diagnostic imaging. When the plan is fully implemented, the investment will deliver approximately 16,500 additional endoscopy procedures and 7,800…
I thank the Minister for his answer. Minister, you said that there has been an improvement. However, recently, there were reports of over 1,400 patients waiting more than 28 days. How will you ensure that trusts consistently meet the targets for suspected cancer appointments in particular?
Significant action is being taken to increase capacity across diagnostic imaging and endoscopy services, which are central to many cancer pathways. Recent management information shows encouraging progress. Between 31 March and 11 June this year, the number of patients waiting more than 28 days for a suspected cancer…
There are no circumstances in which a hard border would be good for the people of Ireland; it would not be good for anyone. Those who suggest that are being naive at best and dangerous at worst, in the sense of not understanding this society. Rural communities along the border are one and the same. The people in them…
Minister, I welcome the statement. I hope that you can take advantage of the Irish presidency and use your influence to push the need for a successor programme. My question is specifically about an issue that affects the border, which was asked about before. Clearly, the programme aims, in particular, to help border…
Much is said about working towards regional balance in our economy. What assessment has been made of the geographical spread of PEACE PLUS funding? Can you provide assurances that rural communities are not being left behind in favour of urban centres, which have much more capacity to apply for that funding?
Certainly, the Peace funding has been a substantial extra financial boost for Northern Ireland, particularly when it comes to capital projects. How do Ministers ensure that funding decisions by the SEUPB align as much as possible with the Northern Ireland Executive's Programme for Government?
Thank you, Minister, for your statement. You highlighted the Change Maker funding programme and support for 65 grassroots organisations. I am sure that you will agree that it is vital that the benefit of schemes is seen at a grassroots community level. In light of that, is it your view that similar small grants…