NI Health Service: warning patients are being let down after new waiting list figures revealed
Cancer charity says stats are simply not good enough
Last updated 23rd Feb 2023
Nearly 380,000 patients were waiting to see a hospital consultant in Northern Ireland for the first time at the end of last year, shock new Department of Health statistics revealed today (Thursday)
The 378,411 total is an increase of 23,655 patients on the 2021 tally.
Worringly, 83.5% (315,894) of the total had been waiting more than nine weeks to have a first appointment with a consultant
And nearly half of the patients (188,749) of patients were waiting more than 52 weeks – in breach of health service targets which state not one patient should be waiting for so long.
Meanwhile, 122,267 patients were waiting to be admitted to hospitals in Northern Ireland at the end of last year.
That represents a rise of 2,170 patients on the overall figure for 2021.
And a total of 162,047 patients were waiting for a diagnostic test
More than half of them (88,341) of patients were waiting more than nine weeks while More than a quarter (27.3%, 44,213) of patients were waiting more than 26 weeks
Margaret Carr, Cancer Research UK’s public affairs manager in Northern Ireland, said a number of these patients would have cancer.
Around 84,500 people were waiting for one of the eight diagnostic tests most relevant to the diagnosis of cancer.
Around half (51.1%) of these people had waited more than nine weeks for a diagnostic test after referral and almost a quarter (23.9%) had waited longer than 26 weeks for a diagnostic test
“Right now, cancer patients in Northern Ireland are being badly let down," she said.
". Around 22,000 people are waiting too long for tests which could indicate they have cancer. This is unacceptable and extremely concerning.
“Urgent action is needed as early diagnosis followed by swift access to the most effective treatment saves lives. Despite the best efforts of staff, many of the delays are due to Northern Ireland’s chronic workforce and equipment shortages in the areas key to diagnosing and treating cancer.
“The Northern Ireland Cancer Strategy is the roadmap for upgrading cancer services and improving early diagnosis for patients. Diagnostic services require investment in both equipment and staff to provide adequate services to those who need them.
“The lack of an Executive means there is no confirmed budget for the implementation of the cancer strategy and so effectively it can’t be progressed.
“The implementation of the strategy – and the agreed budget to do so – is critical if we are to have any chance of improving diagnosis, treatment and care for the thousands of people diagnosed with cancer in Northern Ireland every year.”
In a statement the Department said:
“The gap between demand for care and health service capacity remains unacceptably wide.
“As a result, far too many people are waiting too long for hospital appointments, diagnostic tests and treatments.
“The latest statistics show that, as a result of the hard work of many in the Health and Social Care system and extra investment in the Waiting List Initiative, the waiting lists have stabilised and in some areas reduced by modest amounts.“