To ask the Minister of Health (i) whether his Department requires primary care providers to provide alternatives to telephone triage for people who are deaf or hard of hearing; and ii) who monitors the accessibility of primary care services in each Trust.

I recognise the importance of ensuring that our HSC facilities and services, including primary care services, are accessible to everyone who needs to use them. GP practices in Northern Ireland are expected to address need within the requirements of equality, disability, human rights and data protection legislation and, as independent contractors, each practice can determine how best to do this within their local context.

The Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) rewards contractors for the provision of quality care and helps to standardise improvements in the delivery of primary medical services.

The 2022/23 Framework includes an indicator and guidance to support improved access for patients with hearing loss which includes the development and maintenance of a register of patients who have hearing loss and the adoption of a consistent approach to identify, record, flag and share relevant information with other healthcare providers as appropriate.

The Guidance asks practices to review their access arrangements for patients who are deaf or who have hearing loss and provides advice for good practice. The Guidance also asks practices to consider offering a range of different methods to contact the surgery eg text messaging, email and Video Relay Service (VRS).

Funding for equipment has also been provided for surgery Jayex boards and T loops (audio induction) which will improve the quality of access for people with hearing difficulties.

GP practices have received information in relation to communication support for patients who are deaf and hard of hearing.