AQW 48561/22-27 Written question to the Minister of Health
To ask the Minister of Health to detail (i) the number of palliative care patients who have been placed on routine waiting lists for community equipment, occupational therapy assessments or care package reviews, in each of the last five years; (ii) whether any such patients were subsequently reclassified as urgent; and (iii) any safeguards that are in place to prevent terminally ill patients being placed on standard waiting lists through administrative or automated processes.
Asked by Claire Sugden MLA on 12 June 2026
- Answered
- Written
- After due date
- Tabled
- 12 June 2026
- Answer due by
- 29 June 2026
- Answered
- 14 August 202663 days after tabling
- Department
- Department of Health
- Priority question
- No
Answer
Responses to this question were requested from each of the five Health and Social Care Trusts.
The Health and Social Care Trusts reported they do not hold data that would enable them to identify how many palliative care patients have been placed on routine waiting lists for community equipment, occupational therapy assessments, or care package reviews or how many patients were subsequently reclassified as urgent.
Despite these data limitations, all Trusts reported that palliative and end-of-life patients are prioritised and fast-tracked based on clinical need. Referrals are clinically triaged by qualified professionals using regional prioritisation criteria, including the End of Life Care Operational System (ELCOS). Trusts also reported having processes in place to review referrals, monitor changes in patients' conditions, and escalate cases from routine to urgent status when required.
HSC Trusts highlighted a range of safeguards to prevent terminally ill patients from remaining on routine waiting lists, including clinician-led triage, waiting list reviews and escalation procedures for urgent equipment, assessments, and care packages. Several Trusts specifically stated that end-of-life patients are always treated as urgent cases, with priority access to equipment and support services.
Overall, whilst quantitative data is not currently available, there is consistent assurance across all Trusts that palliative and end-of-life patients are prioritised through established clinical assessment and escalation mechanisms designed to ensure timely access to care and support.