11/01/2019
Worry As Deteriorating Cancer Waiting Times Revealed
Elected representatives in Northern Ireland have expressed concern at the deteriorating waiting times for cancer treatment in the region.
Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw, who lost her mother to the disease only last year, said she was "extremely worried" after the Department of Health revealed the further growth in the length of time patients wait to begin treatment after receiving a diagnosis.
In September last year, 369 people began receiving medical care, but only 61.8% commenced the process within the recommended 62 day period, a fall of almost 3% from the previous month.
Ms Bradshaw, who is Chair of the Assembly All-Party Group on Cancer, said: "Despite huge amounts of additional funding being made available by the Department of Health in recent years, it does not seem to have made any difference. So a better, long-term approach is urgently required.
"On the All-Party Group, we have been highlighting the growing numbers of people being diagnosed with cancer, the need for investment in diagnostic treatment, requirement for a workforce recruitment drive and staff development programme, and more funding for preventative measures such as vaccine programmes, and community education programmes."
The MLA for south Belfast added: "All of this activity should be encompassed within a comprehensive cancer strategy for Northern Ireland, and while there have been some murmurings about such a strategy forthcoming, there has been no evidence of its formulation or engagement around its content.
"My mother passed from cancer in 2018 and I witnessed first-hand the devastating impact on the patient and their families and carers. I also saw the huge effort and range of treatment our hardworking cancer healthcare staff put into her treatment and care, and I firmly believe they deserve more resources and more colleagues.
"In short, we need our Department of Health to accelerate its efforts to bring forward this cancer strategy as soon as possible, to ensure the upward trend in cancer is arrested and then reversed."
In recent days, the UUP's Roy Beggs has hit out at the deterioration in cancer services as something that would be a "scandal" in any other UK region.
The east Antrim MLA said: "Targets are set for cancer treatment because there is very sound medical evidence that the longer a patient has to wait for treatment, the greater the risk that they may ultimately come to harm. That's what makes these missed targets so serious and inexcusable.
"In Northern Ireland it is just taken for granted now that every official publication of waiting times will be worse than the one that came before."
In the absence of devolved government, Mr Beggs urged Secretary of State Karen Bradley to take action.
"On the second anniversary of the collapse of the Executive we are now long past the point at which the Secretary of State can continue to sit back and do nothing while local people suffer. Yet she's virtually invisible and appears to show no awareness whatsoever that people are coming to real medical harm as a result of the impasse and her inaction."
(JG/CM)
Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw, who lost her mother to the disease only last year, said she was "extremely worried" after the Department of Health revealed the further growth in the length of time patients wait to begin treatment after receiving a diagnosis.
In September last year, 369 people began receiving medical care, but only 61.8% commenced the process within the recommended 62 day period, a fall of almost 3% from the previous month.
Ms Bradshaw, who is Chair of the Assembly All-Party Group on Cancer, said: "Despite huge amounts of additional funding being made available by the Department of Health in recent years, it does not seem to have made any difference. So a better, long-term approach is urgently required.
"On the All-Party Group, we have been highlighting the growing numbers of people being diagnosed with cancer, the need for investment in diagnostic treatment, requirement for a workforce recruitment drive and staff development programme, and more funding for preventative measures such as vaccine programmes, and community education programmes."
The MLA for south Belfast added: "All of this activity should be encompassed within a comprehensive cancer strategy for Northern Ireland, and while there have been some murmurings about such a strategy forthcoming, there has been no evidence of its formulation or engagement around its content.
"My mother passed from cancer in 2018 and I witnessed first-hand the devastating impact on the patient and their families and carers. I also saw the huge effort and range of treatment our hardworking cancer healthcare staff put into her treatment and care, and I firmly believe they deserve more resources and more colleagues.
"In short, we need our Department of Health to accelerate its efforts to bring forward this cancer strategy as soon as possible, to ensure the upward trend in cancer is arrested and then reversed."
In recent days, the UUP's Roy Beggs has hit out at the deterioration in cancer services as something that would be a "scandal" in any other UK region.
The east Antrim MLA said: "Targets are set for cancer treatment because there is very sound medical evidence that the longer a patient has to wait for treatment, the greater the risk that they may ultimately come to harm. That's what makes these missed targets so serious and inexcusable.
"In Northern Ireland it is just taken for granted now that every official publication of waiting times will be worse than the one that came before."
In the absence of devolved government, Mr Beggs urged Secretary of State Karen Bradley to take action.
"On the second anniversary of the collapse of the Executive we are now long past the point at which the Secretary of State can continue to sit back and do nothing while local people suffer. Yet she's virtually invisible and appears to show no awareness whatsoever that people are coming to real medical harm as a result of the impasse and her inaction."
(JG/CM)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
06 April 2023
Cancer Patients 'Cannot Wait' Any Longer For Stormont – SF
Patients on lists for cancer treatment cannot wait and called for the Executive to be restored now to cut chronic waiting lists, Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon has said.
Cancer Patients 'Cannot Wait' Any Longer For Stormont – SF
Patients on lists for cancer treatment cannot wait and called for the Executive to be restored now to cut chronic waiting lists, Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon has said.
14 February 2024
HMRC Warns Of Bogus Tax Refund Offers
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has issued a warning to Self Assessment tax customers of bogus tax refund offers. HMRC has warned that fraudsters could set their sights on Self Assessment customers, with more than 11.5 million submitting a tax return by last month's deadline.
HMRC Warns Of Bogus Tax Refund Offers
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has issued a warning to Self Assessment tax customers of bogus tax refund offers. HMRC has warned that fraudsters could set their sights on Self Assessment customers, with more than 11.5 million submitting a tax return by last month's deadline.
30 March 2023
Executive Urgently Needed To Address Waiting Times
The Executive must be restored to address "unacceptable" cancer treatment waiting times, Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon has said. Making the call, Sinn Féin's health spokesperson, Linda Dillon, said: "Growing waiting times for life-saving cancer treatment are deeply concerning and again highlight the need for urgent action to support patients.
Executive Urgently Needed To Address Waiting Times
The Executive must be restored to address "unacceptable" cancer treatment waiting times, Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon has said. Making the call, Sinn Féin's health spokesperson, Linda Dillon, said: "Growing waiting times for life-saving cancer treatment are deeply concerning and again highlight the need for urgent action to support patients.
28 August 2008
NI Cancer Treatment Figures Look Positive
All NI breast cancer patients needing an urgent consultation with a specialist were seen within two weeks of referral by their GP.
NI Cancer Treatment Figures Look Positive
All NI breast cancer patients needing an urgent consultation with a specialist were seen within two weeks of referral by their GP.
05 January 2023
Over 88% Of Cancer Patients Begin Treatment Within 31 Days
Over 88% of people diagnosed with cancer began treatment within the 31 day target in the four months to September 2022, up from 86% in the previous four months. The Department of Health today published the Northern Ireland Cancer Waiting Times Statistics Release for the quarter ending September 2022.
Over 88% Of Cancer Patients Begin Treatment Within 31 Days
Over 88% of people diagnosed with cancer began treatment within the 31 day target in the four months to September 2022, up from 86% in the previous four months. The Department of Health today published the Northern Ireland Cancer Waiting Times Statistics Release for the quarter ending September 2022.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Mainly dry this morning with sunny spells then scattered showers breaking out this afternoon. A chilly start then feeling warmer in afternoon sunshine. Light southerly winds. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:Any showers at first soon dying out. Then dry overnight with clear periods and turning chilly with a touch of frost later tonight. Minimum temperature 1 °C.