LISTEN: Charities fear cancer waiting lists are spiralling out of control in Northern Ireland

By Q Radio News

Cancer charities in Northern Ireland fear spiralling cancer waiting lists mean people are dying needlessly.

The Department of Health published their latest figures on waiting times for urgent referrals earlier today.

Fourteen days is the target set for all urgent breast cancer referrals - while 95% of patients should begin treatment within 62 days after an urgent GP referral.

However, both of these targets were missed.

All health trusts missed the target for the quarter.

Cancer Research UK’s public affairs manager in Northern Ireland, Margaret Carr, said: “These figures show once again that, despite the tireless efforts of health service staff, too many people are waiting too long for a test to find out if they have cancer. This is deeply concerning as we know that delays to diagnosis and starting treatment may make it more difficult to treat cancer successfully.

“Longstanding, chronic staff shortages, the ongoing impact of the pandemic and the backlog from winter pressures are at the heart of patient delays, and we need to see urgent action now to address this.

“The 10-year cancer strategy for Northern Ireland is welcome and is key to transforming services but just one year of promised funding will simply not deliver the desperately needed improvements to cancer services.

“Full long term funding must be identified in the next Northern Ireland’s Executive budget. Without investment, the impact on patients could be devastating as staff shortages take their toll and health services are unable to take advantage of the latest equipment, tests and treatments.”