Cancer: waiting times for treatment on the rise in Northern Ireland

Waiting times for cancer diagnosis and treatment are rising in Northern Ireland, shock new figures show today (Thursday).

Fewer patients red-flagged by their GP for urgent referral for suspect cancer, are being treated within the 62-day target.

The latest Department of Health statistics, from last July to September, show just 34.0% (461) of patients started treatment within 62 days, compared with 36.9% (506) in the previous quarter and 39.5% (527) in the same quarter last year.

Other key figures show that just over half of patients urgently referred by their GP for suspect breast cancer - the most common form of the disease in Northern Ireland - within a 14-day target.

Inn the quarter ending September 2023, there were 3,323 patients seen by a breast cancer specialist following an urgent referral for suspect breast cancer, 3.9% (134) fewer than in the previous quarter (3,457), and 11.1% (415) fewer than in the same quarter last year (3,738).

A total of 52.9% (1,757) of those patients were seen within 14 days of their urgent referral for breast cancer, compared with 70.2% (2,426) in the previous quarter and 63.2% (2,364) in the same quarter last year.

Cancer Research UK said the figures were unacceptable and in terms of the 62-target the "worst on record."

In a statement it said: "The target set by the Northern Ireland Department of Health is that at least 95% of patients with an urgent referral for suspicion of cancer must start treatment within 62 days.

"The 62-day target includes time for tests to diagnose cancer including imaging, endoscopy and pathology tests.

"This target hasn’t been met since it was introduced in 2008."

Barbara Roulston, Cancer Research UK’s public affairs manager in Northern Ireland, said:

“Waiting to start cancer treatment is an incredibly worrying time for patients and their families. Long days and sleepless nights add to the anxiety of suspecting you have a disease that could progress if left untreated.

“Staff are working incredibly hard but years of chronic workforce shortages and a lack of specialist equipment means the system can’t cope.

“The situation will continue to get worse without a fully functioning Executive to fund and rollout the actions listed in their cancer strategy published almost two years ago.

“Once again, on behalf of cancer patients and their families, we appeal for the Executive to get back to work as soon as possible.”