To ask the Minister of Health whether any assessment was made of the benefits of his visit to Washington DC over the St. Patricks Day period to health service patients and staff.

As part of the visit, I attended and participated in over 20 events, meetings and site visits across five days. This intensive programme provided a significant platform to strengthen existing relationships, establish new partnerships, and showcase Northern Ireland’s health system on an international stage.

During the Washington leg of the visit, I engaged directly with leading global institutions, including the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda and the Children’s Hospital. These engagements were complemented by a number of high-level networking events, all which provided further opportunities to promote collaboration and highlight the strengths of our health service.

The subsequent programme in Nashville included a series of targeted engagements with healthcare leaders, academic institutions and policy-makers. These included visits and meetings with Belmont University, Meharry Medical College, Nashville Health, Vanderbilt University and Hospital, Interfaith Dental, and senior representatives from the State Departments of Health and Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. These engagements allowed for in-depth discussion on shared challenges and the exchange of innovative approaches to healthcare delivery.

Importantly, the visit has already delivered measurable outcomes. My office is actively engaging with departmental officials to ensure that the insights gained are integrated into ongoing work programmes. This includes the sharing of best practice, exploration of new models of care, and the identification of areas for sustained collaboration.

I am pleased to report that a number of follow-up actions are already underway. Engagement with the National Cancer Institute has been further strengthened, with collaboration now progressing in areas such as clinical trials, immunotherapy and scientific exchange. This represents a major opportunity to enhance cancer research and treatment options for patients here.

Similarly, connections have been established between colleagues in the Strategic Planning and Performance Group and the leadership at the Children’s Hospital in Washington, supporting the exchange of expertise and best practice in paediatric care.

In the area of mental health, discussions with Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services have led to ongoing collaboration, including shared learning on prison-based mental health support. This has generated strong interest and the potential for future joint initiatives.

Engagement with Nashville Health has also proven particularly beneficial, with mutual learning on addressing health inequalities and the social determinants of health. Northern Ireland’s experience, including initiatives such as social supermarkets and community-based approaches, has been shared and is informing discussions in Nashville.

Further links have been established between the voluntary and community sector in Northern Ireland and counterparts in Nashville, supporting international learning and collaboration in this vital area of service delivery.

In addition, since returning, I have continued to build on these relationships, including hosting senior healthcare leaders from Nashville during their recent visit to Northern Ireland, further strengthening ties between our regions.