Health: more than 300,000 patients waiting over 52 weeks to see a hospital consultant in Northern Ireland

And nearly 40,000 are waiting over 52 weeks to be admitted to hospital.

Now, nearly 302,000 patients across Northern Ireland are waiting more than a year just to see a hospital consultant
Author: Nigel GouldPublished 4th Dec 2025

Now, nearly 302,000 patients across Northern Ireland are waiting more than a year just to see a hospital consultant

That is according to shock new figures released today (Thursday) from the Department of Health for the end of September

In addition, nearly 40,000 patients are waiting over 52 weeks to be admitted to hospital.

This means that Trusts are in breach of draft targets which state not one single patient should be waiting that long

The statistics show further some 90,000 patients were waiting more than 26 weeks for important diagnostic tests

Again this is a missed target for Trusts.