To ask the Minister of Health whether he will make the necessary legislative change to ensure that carers may provide delegated healthcare or nursing tasks under Direct Payments.

The legislation covering the use of Direct Payments (DPs) to address identified care needs stipulates the type of care provision for which DPs can be used. My Department is aware that issues have arisen in some Health and Social Care Trusts around the delegation of healthcare tasks and regrets any disruption to care, or distress experienced, by those individuals and families affected.

The delegation of healthcare is a complex issue which needs to be taken forward within the legal framework (with associated governance) while ensuring safe and practical care. My Department is urgently undertaking a review of the process of such care provision and is engaging with stakeholders and families to address the issues that have arisen and make recommendations on the way forward. I look forward to receiving those recommendations on completion of this work and will seek to implement the changes necessary to address this important issue.