Northern Ireland Department of Health officials told an Assembly committee that fixed staffing ratios would not be written into the proposed staffing Bill.

Officials said the intended framework would require trusts and other bodies to calculate staffing needs, report actual staffing and explain the action taken where gaps were identified.

The committee appearance was the department’s first specific briefing on the Bill. Officials said introduction was planned after the summer recess.

The briefing described departmental proposals rather than enacted law. The eventual Bill, its timetable and its final duties remain matters for the Northern Ireland Assembly.