Ulster Unionist Party Health Spokesperson, Jo-Anne Dobson MLA, has warned that the latest publication of cancer waiting times confirms that patient safety is now being threatened as a result of the wider crisis facing the local health service.

Mrs Dobson said:

“The target on waiting times for treatment following an urgent GP referral for suspected cancer requires that at least 95% of patients should begin treatment within 62 days. Shockingly however our actual performance falls well short, with the latest statistics showing that in June, only 69.5% of patients were treated on time.

“Of the 106 patients in June alone who were forced to wait longer than the maximum time, over 30 were later diagnosed with urological cancer. That it outrageous and wholly unacceptable. Urological cancers include cancers of the bladder, prostate and kidneys and whilst they can often be treated if caught in time, every day of delay increases the risk of a devastating outcome for that patient and their family.

“The crisis is severe and it is only getting worse. Every single one of the Health Trust in Northern Ireland, across every single one of the recorded months, failed to meet the minimum target.   

“In addition, whilst the target for assessment with a breast cancer specialist is that all urgent referrals should be seen within 14 days, yet the latest figures reveal only 81% of people were seen on time.

“Cancer is amongst the cruellest of diseases and it shows no consideration for budgetary pressures or political posturing. The publication of these latest frightening waiting times, that confirm definitively that people’s lives are now being endangered, should be the clearest sign yet that the Department needs a Minister who comprehends the scale of the crisis and is prepared to take the action necessary to address it.  As every day passes that Simon Hamilton leaves the Health Department to drift, the problem is only getting worse, and now people will soon be paying with their lives.”