"Unacceptable" Cancer Waiting Times Plague Northern Ireland and Scotland
Recent reports have highlighted the persistently long waiting times for cancer diagnosis and treatment in both Northern Ireland and Scotland, sparking outrage from charities and politicians. Figures from April to June 2025 reveal that a significant proportion of patients are not receiving timely care, leading to concerns about poorer outcomes and increased distress.
Northern Ireland's Struggle with Cancer Waiting Times
Mike Nesbitt, the Health Minister, acknowledged the "unacceptable cancer waiting times" in Northern Ireland and detailed ongoing efforts to address the issue. However, statistics paint a grim picture. Only 32% of patients started treatment within the 62-day target following an urgent GP referral. Furthermore, a mere 6.6% of patients were seen by a breast cancer specialist within 14 days after an urgent referral.
Liz Morrison, Cancer Research UK’s public affairs manager in Northern Ireland, criticized the situation, stating that patients are missing opportunities for timely treatment and face poorer survival rates. She urged the Department of Health to prioritize cancer waits and invest in staff, equipment, and innovation. The 62-day target, introduced in 2008, has never been met.
Alliance MLA Nuala McAllister expressed her dismay at the statistics, emphasizing that cancer patients deserve timely and effective care. The SDLP’s Colin McGrath also condemned the “scandalous” waiting times, pointing out a significant decline in performance over the past decade.
Efforts and Initiatives in Northern Ireland
The Department of Health is taking steps to improve the situation, including the introduction of Rapid Diagnosis Centres and investment in various workstreams in partnership with the community, voluntary sector, and healthcare professionals. A new Cancer Charity Grant Scheme, investing £1 million a year, is also planned to support charities delivering cost-effective interventions.
The revised Elective Care Framework (ECF) aims to reduce waiting times with a five-year roadmap, requiring significant funding. A funding plan includes £85 million for red flag/time-critical capacity.
Scotland Faces Similar Challenges
Scotland is also grappling with unacceptable cancer waiting times. Figures from April to June 2025 showed that approximately 1,500 patients (30.1%) waited longer than 62 days to start treatment following an urgent suspected cancer referral. This performance is the third-worst on record since 2012.
Dr Sorcha Hume, public affairs manager for Cancer Research UK in Scotland, echoed the concerns raised in Northern Ireland, emphasizing the distress caused by delayed diagnosis and treatment. She called for bold leadership, decisive action, and dedicated funding to improve the situation.
Scottish Conservative health spokesperson Dr Sandesh Gulhane described the statistics as "atrocious" and accused the SNP of failing to address the cancer crisis. Labour health spokesperson Jackie Baillie added that swift treatment is crucial for cancer patients, but too many Scots are being failed.
Recent Data and Responses
The latest Department of Health publication shows that during the last quarter (April – June 2025) around 840 (67 percent) patients waited longer than 62 days to start treatment for cancer following an urgent GP referral for suspected cancer in Northern Ireland. The 62-day target includes time for tests to diagnose cancer including imaging, endoscopy and pathology tests.
Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray acknowledged the challenges but highlighted that more patients are being treated on time compared to pre-pandemic levels and ten years ago. He stated that £14.23 million of additional funding has been allocated to address cancer waiting times.
Impact and Urgency
The consistent failure to meet cancer waiting time targets in both Northern Ireland and Scotland highlights a critical need for systemic change and increased investment in healthcare services. The delays are not just statistics; they represent real people facing anxiety, uncertainty, and potentially poorer health outcomes. Addressing this crisis requires a multi-faceted approach, including improved resource allocation, streamlined processes, and a commitment to prioritizing cancer care.
