AQW 33647/22-27 Written question to the Minister of Health
To ask the Minister of Health to detail the number of patients removed from waiting lists due to criteria changes, in the last two years.
Asked by Michelle Guy MLA on 15 October 2025
- Answered
- Written
- After due date
- Tabled
- 15 October 2025
- Answer due by
- 30 October 2025
- Answered
- 11 November 202527 days after tabling
- Department
- Department of Health
- Priority question
- No
Answer
Thank you for your previous correspondence and follow up question. There has been no change to the position previously set out in my recent response. The updated Effective Use of Resources (EUR) policy was published in 2023 alongside the rollout of the Encompass Programme, which is digitising patient records across all HSC Trusts.
This has temporarily limited reporting on restricted procedures, including data on patients removed from waiting lists because they no longer meet EUR criteria. The most current data relates to 2023/24 and is referenced in the Northern Ireland Audit Office report Performance of Restricted Procedures by Health Trusts (8 October 2025).
The Department and HSC Trusts are working to embed future monitoring within the new digital infrastructure and strengthen governance of the EUR policy. Once this work is complete, the requested information will be more accessible.