She was speaking after the recent publication of updated cancer waiting list times, which outlined, for example, that the number of patients starting treatment within the 31-day target window following a decision to treat decreased by 7.7% since last quarter, and decreased by 5.6% from the same quarter last year.

In terms of breast cancer in particular, it was found that 30.7% of patients were first seen within the 14-day target window following an urgent referral for suspected breast cancer, compared to 38.6% in the previous quarter and 62.4% in the same quarter last year.

The North Belfast MLA has said: “What’s been revealed in the statistics for this quarter is cause for great concern, and it’s unfortunately not the first time we’ve been here.

“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."