It comes after the publication of quarterly statistics for cancer waiting times across Northern Ireland for the period 1 April to 30 June 2025.

They confirmed, among other findings, that the number of patients who started their first definitive treatment within the 62 day target following an urgent GP referral has decreased from 428 (33.9%) patients in the previous quarter to 403 (32.5%), for example.

The North Belfast MLA said: “I’m once again dismayed to be presented with extremely concerning statistics around the amount of time our cancer patients are having to wait before beginning their treatment, showing that we're going in the opposite direction in terms of progress.

“We know that the sooner patients start treatment, the more likely they are to have a positive outcome. The current waiting time statistics show that people across Northern Ireland are being failed and we cannot allow this downward trend to continue.

“It’s time the Health Minister and his new waiting list guru show that they will take action to ensure anyone going through the trauma of receiving a cancer diagnosis will begin their treatment at the earliest opportunity.