To ask the Minister of Health whether he will consider introducing a single referral to treatment measure to track the patient journey, similar to the system in England and Wales.

A move to a single referral to treatment measure is highly desirable because it better reflects the patient experience and what the patient is really interested in, which is the entire journey. From a technical perspective, the new regional encompass system, once fully rolled out to all Trusts, will mean that Northern Ireland will be well placed to measure referral to treatment times. However further scoping of the capability of the HSC to deliver a referral to treatment waiting time will be required before a decision can be made on its introduction.