To ask the Minister of Health to detail the steps being taken to ensure that older people have equal access to healthcare services and are not subject to ageism in treatment and delays in diagnosis.

My Department has a number of measures in place to ensure older people have equal access to healthcare and are protected from ageism. Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 mandates the Department to consider the promotion of equality of opportunity across several categories, including age. This is enacted through the Department's Equality Scheme and Equality Action Plan. The Department conducts screenings and equality impact assessments to assess the potential impact of policies on equality promotion, in accordance with guidance from the Equality Commission, and publishes an annual progress report on its equality objectives.

In terms of GP services for older people, GPs, as independent contractors and clinical professionals, are responsible for making appropriate decisions about the treatment, care, and management of individual patients based on their assessment of patient needs. This includes clinical assessment for the risk of serious illness and referral for diagnostic tests and specialist services as clinically appropriate.

GP practices are required to address patient needs within the framework of equality, disability, and human rights legislation. This might include availing of sign language interpreting services, installing premises improvements and adjustments, and working flexibly to consider patients’ circumstances, such as their level of family support and capabilities regarding technology. Practices also have a responsibility to ensure that patients have clear information on how to access their services, making reasonable adjustments for specific groups when necessary.

The Department’s GP Access Working Group, which includes GP and service-user representation, is overseeing work to develop guidance for practices on managing patient demand and optimising workflow to maximise efficiency and improve experiences for patients. The Group is also considering how technology can help to improve the process for accessing services for both patients and practices.

In terms of nursing and residential care, the Enhancing Clinical Care Framework (ECCF), launched on 7 August 2023, aims to ensure that people who live in nursing and residential care homes are supported to lead the best life possible, underpinned by the right to equitable access to healthcare provision. The Framework describes the principles and practices of what people living in care homes need to access for optimal clinical care and support to stay healthy and well. To align with these principles, the existing Care Home Standards are being reviewed to reflect current best practice and ensure compliance with the ECCF.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) has also established an Ageing Well Public Health Planning Team aimed at enhancing the health and well-being of older individuals and reducing health disparities. Key initiatives include the Age-Friendly Initiative, coordinated by councils, which addresses various domains affecting older people's wellbeing and participation; Intergenerational Programmes aimed at combating loneliness, ageism, and social isolation; targeted Health Protection efforts for the screening and vaccination of older people; and the establishment of the Northern Ireland Frailty Network to promote the recognition and identification of frailty in individuals aged 65 and over to ensure age-appropriate care.

Additionally, the NHS Benchmarking Acute Frailty Audit Programme monitors acute inpatient journey data, providing the PHA and the wider Health and Social Care (HSC) sector with evidence and data to continually raise awareness and challenge operational service delivery, thereby improving outcomes for our older population. Workstreams focus on improving outcomes for older adults and reducing system pressures by minimising harms caused by delirium and deconditioning.