To ask the Minister of Health to outline the diagnostic and care pathway for people diagnosed with haemochromatosis.

Haemochromatosis is a disorder of iron metabolism which is diagnosed using blood tests and genetic tests. Once diagnosed patients are referred to secondary care consultant-led clinics, where assessment and further tests check for organ damage. Additional diagnostic tests may include: blood tests; liver biopsy; MRI or ultrasound scans.

During assessment patients are also referred for initial phase venesection (removal of a unit of blood) if appropriate. These are provided and co-ordinated by suitably qualified teams of nurses. Patients may require venesection for several months to remove all excess iron before reducing frequency to three to four blood-lettings per year. The referring consultant monitors iron levels.

Haemochromatosis care is co-ordinated by a range of specialists and services across Northern Ireland including hepatology, gastroenterology and haematology.