AQW 43360/22-27 Written question to the Minister of Health
To ask the Minister of Health for an update on the number of additional hours delivered by GPs that were funded by his Department as part of the winter pressures plan.
Asked by Nuala McAllister MLA on 26 March 2026
- Answered
- Written
- After due date
- Tabled
- 26 March 2026
- Answer due by
- 14 April 2026
- Answered
- 23 April 202628 days after tabling
- Department
- Department of Health
- Priority question
- No
Answer
This winter, the Department commissioned Northern Ireland Local Enhanced Service (NILES) Managing Winter Pressures to provide additional support to General Practice to increase their capacity to meet the anticipated growth in demand over this period.
From 1 November 2025 until the end of March 2026, practices contracted to provide NILES Managing Winter Pressures have delivered an additional 7,026 sessions equating to 91,338 additional patients being seen and cared for during the winter period in General Practice.
There may be an increase in the number of sessions delivered with some late claims from practices anticipated.