Muckamore Hospital families will play a key role in implementation of Inquiry’s recommendations

Date published: 23 September 2026

Their experiences, and those of the patients, must help shape how implementation is taken forward and how progress is assessed, the Minister added.

In a Written Ministerial Statement to the Assembly, the Minister said it was important that the patients, families, carers and the wider public hold the Health and Social Care (HSC) system to account on progress.

The Minister recently met the families and he committed to ensuring they would be central to the implementation process. he again thanked them for giving their time and sharing their open and forthright views in person.

“I have made clear to officials that the scale and complexity of this work cannot be allowed to become a reason for unnecessary or avoidable delay,” the Minister said.

“Families have already waited too long for answers and accountability, and I expect the Department and the wider Health and Social Care system to proceed with the urgency that the Inquiry’s findings demand.

“I appreciated the honest conversation [with the families] and it was abundantly clear that there is a lot to be done to rebuild their trust in our health system.

“It was very clear to me that the families must be central to the work to implement the Inquiry’s recommendations, and I have committed to ensuring they will have a key role in overseeing this as we seek to rebuild their confidence and trust.”

The Minister also met Inquiry Chair Tom Kark KC this week to personally thank him for his commitment to the Inquiry and the comprehensive report that he, and his fellow panel members, produced. The Minister also updated him on progress to implement the Inquiry’s recommendations.

Since the publication of the Inquiry’s final report in June, an extensive range of preparatory work and engagement has been undertaken in the Department and across the Health and Social Care system focused on implementing them.

Drawing on this engagement, a proposal has been developed for an implementation oversight structure which involves grouping the recommendations thematically into 10 workstreams.

The Minister added: “Once this range of work has been completed, my Department will respond to recommendation R2, which requires my Department to indicate publicly within six months which recommendations it accepts, and an explanation of this decision. As outlined by the previous Minister, I expect that my Department will be in a position to provide this response well in advance of the six-month deadline set by the Inquiry.”

Officials have also carried out initial scoping work on recommendations R1 (Establishing an Implementation Consultation Group) and R106 (Establishing a Redress Working Party), including seeking independent assessment and advice on engagement.

“As a result, and further to the discussions with the families, I expect to receive advice on options for both of these recommendations imminently,” the Minister said.  “We will, of course, engage with families and those representing individuals with learning disabilities on proposed options before anything is agreed.”

The Minister also reaffirmed the commitment that the Department will provide updates as the work moves forward and that these will be made public in a format agreed with the families. Updates will also be provided to both the Assembly and Health Committee.