NI Health: Cancer treatment waits show 'system is failing'

Macmillan Cancer said the jump revealed a system that is "failing" patients

The number of people in Northern Ireland waiting more than a month to start cancer treatment is five times higher than a decade ago.

Macmillan Cancer research collated between April 2011 and March 2012 said on average 18 people each month waited more than a month for treatment.

By March 2022 that monthly figure had increased to 92 people - or by more than 400%.

Macmillan Cancer said the jump revealed a system that was "failing" patients.

Sarah Christie, Macmillan policy and public affairs manager, told BBC News NI that the figures revealed a "dark insight into a healthcare system that is failing time and again to meet the needs of people living with cancer".

According to targets set by the Department of Health (DoH), at least 98% of patients diagnosed with cancer should receive their first definitive treatment within 31 days of a decision to treat.

It also says 95% of patients should begin treatment within 62 days after an urgent GP referral.

However, the latest figures published on Thursday morning showed that both those targets have been missed over the past year. None of the department's cancer waiting time targets have been met, the figures show.

During June 2022, 87.9% of patients received their first treatment within the 31-day deadline, compared to 93.4% in June 2021.

In respect of the 62-day target following an urgent GP referral, only 38.9% of patients began their treatment on time during June 2022, down significantly from 54.2% in June 2021.

Ms Christie said: "People have a right to be frustrated. They deserve access to care at the right time.

"We need a government in place so that change can happen and, crucially, that the three-year budget that had been planned before the executive collapsed can be signed off.

"It is impossible to deliver transformation on short-term budget."

Rosemary Iliff, who was diagnosed with breast cancer last year

'I started to plan my funeral'

Rosemary Iliff, 53, was diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2021 and her surgery was delayed by a week.

She said it was a very difficult time and she actually started to plan her own funeral.

Speaking to BBC News NI, Rosemary said that compared to other people's situations, a week's delay could sound insignificant, but for her the wait was agonising.

"My mind went into overdrive and I started to plan my funeral. I thought I could feel the tumour growing.

"I was anxious - it was the longest week just waiting."

Rosemary's surgery was delayed during Covid when many surgeries were postponed.

One year on, and the outlook is much brighter.

Rosemary rang a bell leaving hospital last week marking the end of her cancer treatment.

"The care I received was incredible. The staff were amazing and looked after me every step of the way," she said.