Cancer: concern raised after NI waiting times for diagnosis and treatment get worse

There was fresh concern today (Thursday) over cancer waiting times across Northern Ireland following the latest figures from the Department of Health.

Among the shock statistics is that in the last quarter, 70% of patients with an urgent GP referral for suspected cancer didn't start treatment within the target time of 62 days.

Naomi Thompson, from Cancer Focus, said something needed to be done as soon as possible.

"For many people it is the waiting and wondering which can be so hard to bear," she said.

"If you are told you are urgent a two-month wait can be difficult.

"We need to see prioritisation of funding from our Executive for the Cancer Strategy and that will make an impact on these waiting times both in the short and longer term.

"Beyond that with one in two of us getting cancer in our lifetime, it needs brave decision making to bring forward health promotion on cancer prevention measures that will start tackling the root cause."

Macmillan Cancer Support is today warning that performance against one of Northern Ireland’s main cancer waiting times targets has fallen to its lowest point since records begani.

Macmillan believes the figures show the cancer care system in Northern Ireland is operating in crisis, with the situation exacerbated by the lack of Assembly for 730 days.

The latest data published today suggests that 2023 was overall the worst year on record for the 62-day target in Northern Ireland. In October to December 2023, fewer than one in three people (31%) with cancer started treatment within 62 days of an urgent GP referral, the lowest quarterly figure since the targets were introducedii.

Sarah Christie, Policy and Public Affairs Manager for Macmillan Cancer Support in Northern Ireland said Stormont needed to intervene.

"‘The data published today is the first release since the Executive has been back in power," she said.

"Whilst we are delighted that we finally have a full Executive to respond to this data release, these figures should serve as a stark reminder for MLAs of the situation in cancer care in Northern Ireland and the need for urgent action.

“Behind these numbers are hundreds of people waiting anxiously for treatment, and healthcare staff stretched beyond their limits. It’s unsustainable.

‘Macmillan has spent the last two years calling for MLAs to get back to work and we look forward to working with the newly formed Executive to ensure cancer is a priority. However, many problems need to be addressed that will require full cooperation across Departments and informed, shared decision-making around the Executive table."

Meanwhile, the Department said the Cancer Strategy launched by Health Minister Robin Swann in 2022 recognised that the current system was unsustainable and that transformational change was urgently needed.

"While some of this work can be completed using the funding and resources currently available, additional investment will be required to help meet these service challenges. Additional investment to create additional capacity is essential," a spokesman said.

"Nevertheless, an important part of any solution has to involve making best use of existing resources, however limited these will be. Behind these unacceptable statistics published today are far too many people facing unacceptable delays for assessment and treatment at times of extreme distress and anxiety.

"The Department is working closely with Trusts to address the current waits that we are seeing across these cancer pathways.

"This includes short term measures such as arrangements whereby patients are transferred to other Trusts and that will allow for earlier diagnosis and treatment. Medium and longer-term measures are also required to ensure that we have sufficient capacity to meet the current and growing service demand that an ageing population will generate. Some of these will require additional funding;

"The latest waiting times for patients seen following an urgent breast cancer referral underline the fact that the current model of care for breast assessment is not meeting demand. The Department, working with Trusts and clinicians, is developing an alternative model for breast assessment as a priority, this will focus on securing equity and standardised levels of provision across the region. "