Menu
26/05/2023
New Online Waiting List Checker Launches
A new online system has been introduced to allow patients to check how long they are likely to wait for a specialist hospital appointments in Northern Ireland.
The initiative has been developed to improve and centralise the information already publicly available to patients.
In this first phase, patients can find out the average waiting times for a first outpatients hospital appointment across the different clinical specialties in each Health and Social Care Trust area.
The webpage, known as My Waiting Times NI, will be expanded over time to also provide the latest waiting time information for procedures, treatment and diagnostics.
A Department of Health spokesperson said: "Northern Ireland's waiting lists are a result of years of sustained pressure with demand for care and treatment outstripping hospital capacity.
"Additional funding has been made available in recent years to support a range of waiting list initiatives and we were beginning to see some stabilisation of the situation. However the current budget deficit means that this additional investment will be at a lower level this year. Regrettably, this will have an impact on waiting times.
"We are acutely aware of the consequences of waiting times for patients and their families. We also recognise the additional frustration when people do not have easily accessible information on how long they will have to wait. This new webpage should provide some clarity to patients, their families and carers.
"GPs and other primary care teams, such as dentists and pharmacists, will also have access to the information which should help them have more informed conversations with their patients."
The initiative has been developed to improve and centralise the information already publicly available to patients.
In this first phase, patients can find out the average waiting times for a first outpatients hospital appointment across the different clinical specialties in each Health and Social Care Trust area.
The webpage, known as My Waiting Times NI, will be expanded over time to also provide the latest waiting time information for procedures, treatment and diagnostics.
A Department of Health spokesperson said: "Northern Ireland's waiting lists are a result of years of sustained pressure with demand for care and treatment outstripping hospital capacity.
"Additional funding has been made available in recent years to support a range of waiting list initiatives and we were beginning to see some stabilisation of the situation. However the current budget deficit means that this additional investment will be at a lower level this year. Regrettably, this will have an impact on waiting times.
"We are acutely aware of the consequences of waiting times for patients and their families. We also recognise the additional frustration when people do not have easily accessible information on how long they will have to wait. This new webpage should provide some clarity to patients, their families and carers.
"GPs and other primary care teams, such as dentists and pharmacists, will also have access to the information which should help them have more informed conversations with their patients."
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
28 May 2021
Call For Urgent Meeting To Address Waiting List Crisis
The SDLP is calling for an urgent meeting with the Finance and Health Ministers after further details of the extent of the waiting list crisis have been published. MLAs Cara Hunter and Matthew O'Toole said that this is the biggest crisis facing people in Northern Ireland and it must be the most urgent priority for political leaders.
Call For Urgent Meeting To Address Waiting List Crisis
The SDLP is calling for an urgent meeting with the Finance and Health Ministers after further details of the extent of the waiting list crisis have been published. MLAs Cara Hunter and Matthew O'Toole said that this is the biggest crisis facing people in Northern Ireland and it must be the most urgent priority for political leaders.
09 May 2018
Dept Of Health Announces Major Investment To Enhance Primary Care
A series of important initiatives are to be funded under the £100 million Health and Social Care transformation fund, the Department of Health has announced. The planned package of investments for 2018/19 includes £15m for enhancing primary care – care which is largely provided by GP practices.
Dept Of Health Announces Major Investment To Enhance Primary Care
A series of important initiatives are to be funded under the £100 million Health and Social Care transformation fund, the Department of Health has announced. The planned package of investments for 2018/19 includes £15m for enhancing primary care – care which is largely provided by GP practices.
02 September 2005
Outpatient hospital waiting list figures rise
The number of people waiting for a first outpatient appointment has increased in the last three months by almost 6%. The figures published by the Department of Health revealed that the number of patients waiting for an initial outpatient consultation had risen by 9,385 to 176,523, an increase of 5.6% on the previous quarter.
Outpatient hospital waiting list figures rise
The number of people waiting for a first outpatient appointment has increased in the last three months by almost 6%. The figures published by the Department of Health revealed that the number of patients waiting for an initial outpatient consultation had risen by 9,385 to 176,523, an increase of 5.6% on the previous quarter.
02 April 2003
Rise in transplant waiting list sparks donor appeal
The latest figures from the office of the Transplant Co-ordinator in Belfast City Hospital have revealed that the number of people in the province awaiting organ transplants has risen. Some 240 people are currently waiting for major organ transplants such as heart, kidney, liver or lungs - an increase of almost 60 people on this time last year.
Rise in transplant waiting list sparks donor appeal
The latest figures from the office of the Transplant Co-ordinator in Belfast City Hospital have revealed that the number of people in the province awaiting organ transplants has risen. Some 240 people are currently waiting for major organ transplants such as heart, kidney, liver or lungs - an increase of almost 60 people on this time last year.
21 March 2024
BCC Unveils Refreshed Strategic Plan For Belfast City Centre
New plans to support the most vulnerable in Belfast while growing the economy, regenerating neighbourhoods and achieving climate targets have been published in a refreshed strategic plan for the city. First published in 2017, the Belfast Agenda set out joint vision for the city up to 2035.
BCC Unveils Refreshed Strategic Plan For Belfast City Centre
New plans to support the most vulnerable in Belfast while growing the economy, regenerating neighbourhoods and achieving climate targets have been published in a refreshed strategic plan for the city. First published in 2017, the Belfast Agenda set out joint vision for the city up to 2035.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A dry start to Monday but with some mist or fog patches, sunny spells elsewhere. Showers developing during the afternoon, particularly in the west, these heavy and thundery. Maximum temperature 21 °C.Tonight:Showers in the west soon dying off this evening. Patchy cloud and clear spells through the first part of the night but further showers later. Minimum temperature 11 °C.
