Alliance Health Spokesperson Criticises Cancer Waiting List Delays

Nuala McAllister, a spokesperson for the Alliance Party's health portfolio, has expressed deep concern over the latest cancer waiting list times in Northern Ireland.

She emphasised that health transformation is essential for reducing delays and ensuring patients receive timely screening, diagnosis, and treatment.

According to the recently published data, the number of patients starting cancer treatment within the 31-day target window has decreased by 7.7% since the last quarter and by 5.6% compared to the same period last year. For breast cancer specifically, only 30.7% of patients were seen within the 14-day target window following an urgent referral, a significant decline from 38.6% in the previous quarter and 62.4% in the same quarter of the previous year.

McAllister stated: "The statistics for this quarter are alarming and unfortunately not a one-time occurrence." She called for immediate action to address the deteriorating situation and ensure that patients receive the timely care they deserve. "We welcome the announcement from the Health Minister around taking a regional approach to dealing with breast cancer waiting lists in particular, which will ensure that patients can be seen at the earliest available appointment, regardless of where they are based.

"However, we also know that each trust will have different services available for cancer treatment, such as rapid diagnostic centres. Access to these services should not be a postcode lottery.

"Alliance has long been calling for a single system approach to health and social care in Northern Ireland, with specialist and regional hubs to remove the barriers to treatment depending on the services available in each trust area.

"These statistics are a grim reminder of the real-life consequences of the dysfunction and lack of urgency in ensuring reform of our health and social care service.

"I, alongside my Alliance colleagues, remain committed to seeing this crucial transformation take place, in order to ensure the people of NI receive the highest quality care when they need it most."