AQW 22701/22-27 Written question to the Minister of Health
To ask the Minister of Health to detail any action he is taking to reduce occupational therapist assessment waiting times for (i) adults; and (ii) children in the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust.
Asked by Nick Mathison MLA on 17 February 2025
- Answered
- Written
- Tabled
- 17 February 2025
- Answer due by
- 4 March 2025
- Answered
- 4 March 202515 days after tabling
- Department
- Department of Health
- Priority question
- No
Answer
The Public Health Agency (PHA) continues to work with the Strategic Planning and Performance Group (SPPG) and Trusts to ensure Allied Health Profession (AHP) services including Occupational Therapy deliver a range of support that reflects the needs of the population of Northern Ireland, and is aligned to evidence based practice.
Strategies that are currently being used by South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust to help reduce waiting times are:
waiting list validation
monitoring capacity and demand of complex cases
proactive recruitment
utilising bank and agency staff to cover long term vacancies or absences as appropriate
reviewing new ways of working and assuring appropriate skill mix to maximise efficiency.