To ask the Minister of Health whether his Department has assessed the impact on patients’ rights of the continued absence of health and welfare lasting powers of attorney, particularly for people living with dementia.

My officials continue to engage on a regular basis with stakeholders to understand the impact that phased implementation of the Mental Capacity Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 has. The MCA contains provisions which fall under the remit of both my Department and the Department of Justice and as a result, officials have been working collaboratively to scope the implications of full implementation. This is with a view of developing a full implementation plan, to guide future decision making and inform me on the impact, implications and likely costings of commencing these provisions. Although work on this area had slowed due to significant resourcing challenges, the work will recommence early next year.

Whilst no specific assessment has taken place by my Department, as part of this work my officials, alongside DoJ officials, met with Dementia NI colleagues in June 2025, where the discussion focused on provisions related to lasting powers of attorney.