Cancer waiting times: Last six months "worst on record" says charity
The latest quarterly figures released by the Department of Health showed targets were continuing to be missed
The last six months of cancer waiting times are the "worst on record" in Northern Ireland, a leading cancer charity has said.
The Department of Health’s latest quarterly figures released today (Thursday) showed targets were missed again.
In the latest quarter, ending in September 2022 39.5% of patients (527) started treatment within the 62-day target following an urgent GP referral for suspected cancer. The target is 95%.
That is compared with 37.7% in the quarter ending June 2022 and 46.1% in the quarter ending September 2021.
While during the same period 88.2% of patients (2,373) started treatment within the target 31 days, compared with 86.2% in the quarter ending June 2022 and 90% in the quarter ending September 2021.
Margaret Carr, Cancer Research UK's public affairs manager in Northern Ireland, said comparing today’s results to 2008 when the target was introduced shows a deterioration in waiting times.
She said: “We should all be deeply concerned that the last six months are the worst on record for cancer waiting times targets in Northern Ireland. Delays with diagnosis and starting treatment may make it more difficult to treat cancer successfully and can cause significant anxiety for patients.
“Despite the tireless efforts of healthcare workers, patients are waiting too long for treatment due to years of underinvestment in cancer services.
“Cancer is Northern Ireland’s biggest killer and year on year, more people are being diagnosed with the disease. Northern Ireland’s cancer strategy includes actions to deal with increased demand, but it is effectively on hold due to the absence of an Executive. Inaction is putting increased pressure on health professionals and ultimately putting cancer patients’ lives at risk.
“Without a cancer strategy we are always going to be playing catch up and catch up is not a way to work in terms of cancer services."
“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.”
The new Cancer Strategy for NI and its Funding Plan 2022-2032 were launched by the then Health Minister Robin Swann on March 2022 and sets the direction of travel for cancer services for the next 10 years
However, Margaret stressed without a functioning Executive the strategy cannot be fully implemented or funded.
She added: “Without a cancer strategy we are always going to be playing catch up and catch up is not a way to work in terms of cancer services.
“It really is that that we need to work on.
“In terms of a big major step change to stop this decline in waiting times we have to have a cancer strategy and we have to have it now”.
Meanwhile, two specialist clinics to help reduce the time for cancer diagnosis and improve patient outcomes are set to open in NI.
The Rapid Diagnosis Centres, which are the first of their kind here, were launched last month at Whiteabbey Hospital and Dungannon’s South Tyrone Hospital.
As part of a pilot programme, GPs in the Armagh and Dungannon and East Antrim areas are now able to refer patients into the RDCs.
The centres will receive referrals for patients with non-specific but concerning symptoms which may lead to a diagnosis of cancer, but which do not meet the criteria of other red flag cancer pathways.
Get in touch
Cool FM / Downtown want to hear from anyone who has been affected by Northern Ireland's cancer waiting times.
Have you been waiting 62 days or longer to start treatment following an urgent GP referral? If so please contact chelsie.kealey@bauermedia.co.uk
Alternatively you can send a direct message through twitter to @ChelsieKealey
Read More:
Two rapid diagnosis centres for cancer to open in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland cancer waiting time targets missed again
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