To ask the Minister of Health whether there has been any change in clinical activity since the implementation of EpicCare Link, including (i) elective major surgery within theatre; (ii) paediatric major surgery activity; (iii) outpatient activity and throughput; and (v) oncology services, broken down by Health and Social Care Trust.

My Department does not hold analysis which attributes changes in clinical activity directly to the implementation of EpicCare Link.

EpicCare Link is designed to support safer and more informed clinical decision-making through improved access to patient information. It provides authorised primary and community care users with predominantly read‑only access to clinical information held within the encompass system. It does not schedule or deliver clinical activity and provides only limited additional functionality.

While the encompass system as a whole supports a wide range of clinical and operational processes across Health and Social Care, EpicCare Link is a specific component focused on information access and does not in itself drive these activities.

Health and Social Care Trusts are responsible for the planning, delivery and reporting of clinical services, including elective surgery, paediatric surgery, outpatient throughput and oncology services. Activity levels are influenced by a wide range of factors, including workforce, capacity, demand and wider service pressures.