To ask the Minister of Health, pursuant to AQW 31938/22-27, to detail why information on multiple sclerosis patients who have received an annual review is not tracked.

As outlined in my previous response on this area, services for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) are provided as part of wider Neurology services in each Trust area.

The information on new and review appointments provided for people with a diagnosis of MS and indeed for other subspecialist areas within this specialty has historically been reported in the monitoring information provided for the wider neurology service and has not therefore been identified separately. To date, there has been no requirement to report on the proportion of patients within Neurology who receive an annual review.

As you will be aware, the HSC is in the process of implementing a new digital care record across the region with the Encompass system now available in each Trust area. The process is underway to ensure system optimisation. There are no confirmed timelines for this element of the implementation to be completed. It is intended that the new digital health record system will allow an improved level of reporting which has the potential to provide data that will inform service needs for those across a range of chronic long-term conditions including for those people with a diagnosis of MS.

This is a welcome development and important in the context of the current review waiting times for neurology, which as previously acknowledged are lengthy and growing for adults across Northern Ireland. This situation has arisen due to several factors, including funding that falls short of objectively assessed need and previous missed opportunities to reform health and social care delivery. I am committed to addressing this, subject to available funding.