Cancer services ‘creaking’ claim after urgent referrals target missed again

THE failure of Northern Ireland’s health service to meet cancer waiting time targets “shows the system is creaking under the weight of increased demand”, campaigners have said.

New figures from the Department of Health show that only 69% of patients in March with an urgent referral for suspected cancer started treatment within the target goal of 62 days — down slightly on 71.6% of patients in March 2016.

The target is 95% — but has never been met since it was set in 2009. Cancer Research UK spokeswoman Margaret Carr called the figures “continuously disappointing”.

“There are many reasons for this, but one major area of concern is diagnostics,” she said.

“The 62-day waiting time, includes diagnostic tests, which sometimes have to be re-done, for a clearer result.

“In general, our diagnostic service is not up to scratch here in Northern Ireland.

“It is not able to cope with the strain of more and more people potentially being affected by cancer.

“It seems to be the main stick- ing point, but we know that if cancer is caught early enough, swift access to appropriate treatment is key to a patient’s best chance of survival, which in turn means less of a financial strain on the Government in the long run.”

Ms Carr said the fact these targets have once again been missed “is sadly an all-too-familiar picture”.

“The repeated failure to meet cancer waiting times targets shows the system is creaking under the weight of increased demand and a plan of action is urgently needed.

“Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK without an upto-date cancer strategy,” Ms Carr added.

“It’s crucial we see fast progress on this to ensure no one is left waiting too long.”

The figures for patients first seen after an urgent referral for suspect breast cancer are also down slightly.

In March, 86% of the 1,491 patients seen by a breast cancer specialist for a first assessment after an urgent referral for suspect breast cancer, were seen within the 14-day target — a slight decrease from 87.5% in January 2017 and 88.4% in March 2016.