Missed target times for suspected cancer patients

Approximately 63,000 people in Northern Ireland live with cancer

Some suspected cancer patients in Northern Ireland are not being seen early enough, according to statistics from the Department of Health.

Government targets have said that 95% of patients urgently referred by their doctor should begin treatment within 62 days.

But in June, 69% of patients were treated for cancer following an urgent GP referral.

That is a drop of 10% from April.

Cancer treatment

The statistics outline waiting times for patients accessing cancer services at hospitals in April, May and June.

There was an increase in the number of patients first seen with 14 days following an urgent referral for suspect breast cancer, but that figure still failed the government target.

Waiting times for breast cancer patients have dramatically increased.

The percentage of patients seen within 14 days following an urgent referral decreased from 94% in January to 81% in June.