Over 80,000 patients waited over a year for first appointment with consultant
The Department of Health published the quarterly waiting time statics here which show that 49.2% of patients waited longer than nine weeks for a diagnostic test.
Last updated 22nd Feb 2018
The Waiting Times Statistics releases show detailed information on the number of people waiting for a first consultant-led outpatient appointment, a diagnostic test and inpatient or day case treatment at hospitals in Northern Ireland.
The department of health's aim that no one should wait more than a year for a first appointment with a consultant was missed - with more than 80,000 patients not being seen in that time.
On top of that - nearly 15,000 people waited more than a year for an inpatient or day case admission - compared to last years figure of just over 8 thousand.
And to make matters even worse - when patients did get seen - nearly half of them waited over two months for a diagnostic test.
The statistics reflect the waiting times for all diagnostic services in Northern Ireland, including those that affect cancer patients.
Margaret Carr, Cancer Research UK’s public affairs manager for Northern Ireland, said:
“It’s unacceptable that so many people in Northern Ireland are waiting too long for tests. This situation will be causing huge anxiety to those waiting to find out if they do or don’t have cancer.
“Northern Ireland must join the other UK governments in committing to a cancer strategy. We are the only part of the UK without one. This strategy should include an urgent review of the staff and equipment needed to ensure patients receive a test more quickly. It’s crucial we see progress on this soon.
The 2017/18 Ministerial target relating to outpatient waiting times states that by March 2018, at least 50% of patients should wait no longer than nine weeks for a first outpatient appointment, with no patient waiting longer than 52 weeks.
At 31 December 2017, a total of 271,553 patients were waiting for a first consultant-led outpatient appointment, 0.4% (1,103) fewer than at 30 September 2017 (272,656) and 10.3% (25,355) more than at 31st December 2016 (246,198).
The 2017/18 Ministerial target, for inpatient and day case waiting times, states that by March 2018, 55% of patients should wait no longer than 13 weeks for inpatient or day case treatment, with no patient waiting longer than 52 weeks.
At 31 December 2017, a total of 78,440 patients were waiting for admission to hospital, 4.3% (3,200) more than at 30 September 2017 (75,240) and 10.8% (7,658) more than at 31 December 2016 (70,782).
At 31 December 2017, 61.2% (48,003) of patients were waiting more than 13 weeks for either inpatient or day case admission, compared with 62.5% (47,009) at 30 September 2017 and 55.3% (39,123) at 31 December 2016.
At 31 December 2017, 19.1% (14,979) of patients were waiting more than 52 weeks for either an inpatient or day case admission, compared with 17.5% (13,176) at 30 September 2017, and 12.0% (8,470) at 31 December 2016.
During the quarter ending December 2017, 44,773 patients received inpatient and day case treatment, 7.1% (2,969) more than the quarter ending September 2017 (41,804), and 7.6% (3,659) less than during the quarter ending December 2016 (48,432)