To ask the Minister of Health to detail whether GPs can refer to the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust specialist regional service for severe varicose veins.

The vascular varicose vein outpatient service is delivered by Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, providing a specialist regional service within Northern Ireland.

There are currently two ways in which a patient can access vascular services within Belfast Health and Social Care Trust; either from a referral by an Emergency Department or by referral by a GP or another clinician.

Due to the current pressures on the Vascular Service across Northern Ireland, a decision was taken in 2023 that varicose vein assessment and treatment could only be provided to patients with severe varicose veins.

Patients are now assessed and reviewed under these criteria. New referrals which do not meet these criteria will not be offered an outpatient appointment.