To ask the Minister of Health, pursuant to AQW 24166/22-27, to detail (i) the impact that the regional day procedure centres and single waiting lists have had on reducing waiting times across Health and Social Care Trusts; and (ii) how his Department is monitoring the experience of patients who may need to travel further for treatment.

The regional day procedure centres deliver capacity across a number of high-volume specialties, with this capacity accessed by patients from all Health and Social Care (HSC) Trusts. Whilst the ongoing implementation of the Epic system makes it difficult to directly compare to pre-Epic data for those Trusts now live on the system, comparisons can be made for the Southern and Western Trusts. Official statistics show general daycase waiting list reductions within those Trusts as at 31 December 2024, compared with 31 December 2021. This includes a 35% reduction in General Surgery, and a 6% reduction in Urology. Both of these specialties have access to regional day procedure centre capacity.

Monitoring of patient experience is common practice within HSC Trusts. As an example of how this is conducted at the regional day procedure centres, Lagan Valley Hospital use the Care Opinion platform to collate feedback from patients. The majority of patients who are treated at Lagan Valley come from other Trust areas, and have travelled to access treatment. This feedback is analysed and shared with staff. The feedback received is generally positive, with patients indicating they are happy to travel, particularly when it results in receiving treatment faster than may otherwise be the case.