The statistics from January to March 2023 indicate that the Department’s key targets have been missed, including the waiting times for an urgent referral for suspected breast cancer. Only 34.1% of patients were seen within the 14-day target, compared to 84.2% in the same quarter in the previous year.

 

“The increased delays in urgent cancer referrals have been a concerning trend over the last decade, and these latest figures are evidence of this,” said the East Antrim MLA.

 

“However, it is important to remember that behind these statistics are individuals, our family, friends and neighbours. It is estimated that one in two of us will receive a cancer diagnosis in our lifetimes, it is therefore not a problem for individuals but for the entire community.

 

“I welcome that Minister Nesbitt has included cancer in his list of priorities, but we need to see transformation and decision-making to deliver on these priorities, to reduce these unacceptably long waiting times and lead to lower costs and better outcomes. We cannot reach our goals without proper transformation.”