To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, given the recent whistle blower case regarding Cherry Tree House Nursing Home, whether he will widen the Desk Top Review which he has commissioned, to permit staff, relatives and elected representatives, an opportunity to give oral evidence to the Review Team.

The objective of the review currently being undertaken by the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) is to examine the evidence held by, among others, the HSC Board, Trusts and the Department regarding all the concerns raised about the quality of care in Cherry Tree House during the period 1 January 2005 – 31 March 2013.

RQIA has now compiled a volume of evidence which will include concerns raised to relevant organisations by staff, relatives and elected representatives during the period of time covered by the review. At this point I am content that RQIA continues with this already significant exercise and, to that end, I have agreed an extension until the end of January 2014 to allow full consideration of evidence gathered.