To ask the Minister of Health what support exists for children under 16 years old who are diagnosed with Long Covid.

In terms of long COVID services, you will be aware that on the 1st November 2021, I launched the first dedicated assessment and treatment services for Post-COVID-19 Syndrome in Northern Ireland. These post COVID-19 services have been designed in line with Northern Ireland Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guideline NG188 on managing the long term effects of COVID-19, which covers identifying, assessing and managing the long-term effects of COVID-19.

Following clinical advice from paediatric specialists in Northern Ireland, post-COVID-19 services have been designed for people aged 16 years and over. Children who have not reached their 16th birthday who have persistent symptoms after a diagnosis of COVID and who require more specialist care can be referred to Trust paediatric services in the usual way to receive the appropriate assessment and treatment in line with their individual clinical needs.

My Department will continually review and update these services in line with any updates to the NICE guidance as to what are safe and effective treatments for post-COVID-19 patients. In addition, there is ongoing engagement with paediatric specialists in Northern Ireland to ensure that service arrangements for children with post-COVID-19 syndrome remain the best way of providing care to those children who need it.