To ask the Minister of Health, pursuant to AQW 9772/22-27 , for an update on the Public Health Agency's development of a regional protocol in relation to the notification and management of Sudden Unexpected Death in Childhood.

Since the update in April 2024, the Public Health Agency (PHA), which leads on the development of the Regional Protocol on Sudden and Unexpected Death in Infancy and Childhood (SUDIC), has continued to work at pace.

The robustness of the draft protocol was tested at a multi-agency workshop, organised by the PHA and in response to feedback further consultation is planned with key stakeholders, including Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, the Coroner Service, State Pathology and Adult Emergency Medicine.

The PHA continues to optimise collaborative working by attending events such as a PSNI led Child Death and Injury CPD event, which also provided an opportunity to update on progress in Northern Ireland and learn from high profile cases in England. The current protocol has supported the development of a Trust-led SUDIC simulation day; which will form the basis of regional training for paediatricians.

Once the protocol is approved in principle by all relevant key stakeholders, input will be sought from families with lived experiences of bereavement. Consideration will also be given on how to address service gaps that have been identified as a result of this work, including the need for bereavement support services for children up to 18 years of age.