To ask the Minister of Health to detail the rationale for appointing a Regional Clinical Director for Elective Care, including which specific responsibilities could not be delivered through existing Department or Strategic Planning and Performance Group arrangements.

My Department is responsible for setting policy and strategic priorities for elective care, the planning and commissioning of services, the allocation and management of resources, and the monitoring and performance management of Health and Social Care (HSC) services. HSC Trusts are responsible for the operational delivery of elective services.

The Regional Clinical Director for Elective Care provides additional independent clinical advice and leadership to support the planning, improvement and transformation of elective services. The role supports clinical engagement, the sharing of best practice and action to address unwarranted clinical variation. It is an advisory role and does not carry commissioning, performance-management or operational accountability. The Regional Clinical Director has been instrumental in overseeing, leading and supporting the drive to reduce waiting lists.

No functions or responsibilities have transferred from the Strategic Policy and Planning Group (SPPG) within my Department to the Regional Clinical Director, and no duplication of responsibilities has been identified. The appointment has not resulted in changes to SPPG’s organisational structure, staffing establishment or responsibilities.

Existing accountability arrangements remain unchanged. My Department retains responsibility for policy and strategic oversight; SPPG for planning, commissioning and performance management; and Trusts for service delivery.

By working as one system, we are delivering more elective care more efficiently and more consistently for patients.