To ask the Minister of Health, pursuant to AQW 6407/22-28, for an update on the development of the business case for a regional pathway.

I understand that a draft pathway has been developed for local services and is currently with members of the Facial Palsy Regional Planning Group for feedback. This has been a complex process with multiple services involved in the pathway development, and multiple access points into the service across all Trusts in Northern Ireland. It is my hope that a facial palsy pathway for local, regional and tertiary services will be developed and agreed in the coming months.

Once a model of care is agreed, a business case will be developed for the service, funding permitting. I understand SPPG is working background to collate data that will be required to demonstrate the need for further investment in this area. However, it is important to note that this will be subject to securing the relevant funding within wider service pressures and priorities.