To ask the Minister of Health what new financial investment will be made in the 2021/22 and 2022/23 financial years to address the neurology outpatient waiting list.

In 2021/22 £945k has been invested in neurology outpatients. As the Department has not yet been allocated a budget for 2022/23 it will not be possible to confirm what future funding investment will be made in 2022/23 until a budget has been agreed.

The Department recognises that additional investment, recruitment and training is key to ensuring that we are able to meet the needs of neurology patients. The Regional Review of Neurology Services is tasked with identifying the optimum configuration of neurology services for the next 10-15 years. The Review is considering a range of options to meet increasing demand. An investment and implementation plan will be developed to support the final recommendations of the Review. Completion of the Review will be subject to available clinical capacity. In the context of current COVID-19 pressures, it is anticipated that the Review will conclude in summer 2022.