To ask the Minister of Health to detail any steps his Department is taking in response to the Katie Simpson Review.

My Department recognises the importance of the Katie Simpson Review and is committed to supporting implementation of its recommendations through the regional Working Group established to oversee their delivery.

My Department issued a letter on the 27th of May 2026 to raise awareness of the Report and highlight key learning points relevant to Health and Social Care. Included in this were three immediate actions for Health and Social Care Trusts, namely:

Cascade Learning - Ensure that all frontline Emergency Department staff, including consultants, nursing staff and triage teams, receive an awareness briefing on the findings of the Review. Learning to be disseminated through existing governance, professional and learning and development structures.

Training and Development - Ensure staff are able to recognise indicators of domestic abuse and coercive control, including where injuries may be presented as accidental (e.g. falls/sports injuries). Induction and refresher training to be strengthened to support recognition of patterns across multiple attendances and the importance of viewing presentations in the context of previous visits and safeguarding processes.

Review of Safeguarding Triggers and Systems - Ensuring that all Emergency Department attendances involving physical injury prompt appropriate safeguarding consideration, particularly where domestic abuse may be a factor or where there are repeat presentations. Review of current safeguarding systems and flagging processes to ensure they are sufficient to identify individuals presenting on multiple occasions.

Health and Social Care Trusts are now implementing actions to improve practice and strengthen safeguarding arrangements. This includes establishing governance and assurance arrangements to oversee the implementation of recommendations and enhanced training on domestic abuse, including targeted provision for Emergency Department staff.

My Department continues to work with the Department of Justice, PSNI and Health and Social Care Trusts to develop new Domestic Abuse Risk Response arrangements to replace MARAC. A new model has been agreed, early practical changes have already been implemented, and full rollout is expected in the 2026/27 financial year.

Subject to funding, my Department will also work closely with the Public Health Agency to scope the feasibility of extending Routine Enquiry into additional Health and Social Care settings.