It is "vitally important" health reforms proposed by Northern Ireland's health minister are not put on ice when devolution is suspended, the British Medical Association has said.

On Monday, the Northern Ireland Secretary John Reid announced the power-sharing assembly would be suspended from midnight and direct rule from Westminster reimposed.

The BMA said it was concerned "inertia could develop" as the ministers of the 10 assembly departments step down from their posts.

Maurice Dunlop, BMA NI chairman said: "We are years behind the rest of the UK in terms of NHS reforms and it is vitally important that the intense and various consultations carried out by the DHSSPS during the past couple of years are not put on ice.

John Reid announced assembly suspension on Monday

"We would hope that the incoming minister for health will meet with us early to try to take forward, as far as possible, current and outstanding issues in both general practice and hospital services.

"There are significant issues such as primary care reforms that currently involve the Department of Health's permanent secretary and his staff and which we believe need not be held up due to this suspension.

"There is too much at stake for both doctors and patients in Northern Ireland to allow the inertia of the previous protracted suspension to prevail again."

Announcing the suspension on Monday, Dr Reid said Northern Ireland Office ministers taking over the departments would take advice from the outgoing devolution ministers.

However, there is uncertainty about more than 20 pieces of legislation which had been progressing through the assembly.

They include the Employment Bill which would improve pay and leave for new parents and another bill to put in place a Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People.

The Federation of Small Business will work closely with the new enterprise minister and hope that the assembly is returned soon

Wilfred Mitchell FSB NI policy chairman

Plans to tackle Northern Ireland's �6bn infrastructural deficit could also be put on hold as a bill to set up a new Strategic Investment Board falls by the wayside.

The Federation of Small Business in Northern Ireland also expressed its disappointment at the planned suspension.

Wilfred Mitchell, the FSB's NI Policy chairman said: "We worked extremely closely with all of the parties in the assembly, who without exception took time and effort to support our policy agenda.

"The FSB will work closely with the new enterprise minister and hope that the assembly is returned soon."

Legislation

Under direct rule, Dr Reid will decide which legislation can go through Westminster by Order in Council.

One of his main tasks will be to put together next year's budget which was due to be presented by Finance Minister Sean Farren to the assembly in February.

During the last prolonged period of suspension from February 11 to May 29 2000, the NIO focused on restoring devolution and did not make many legislative changes.

Although the assembly will be suspended, the Stormont building itself will continue to cost the taxpayer millions of pounds to run.

The 317 employees who make up the assembly secretariat are to remain in place until Dr Reid decides otherwise.

Those who have been seconded from civil service departments are likely to be relocated but the rest will face an uncertain future if suspension continues.