To ask the Minister of Health how many cancer patients awaiting treatment in each Health and Social Care Trust have had appointments cancelled in since March 2020.

The information regarding how many cancer patients awaiting treatment in each Health and Social Care Trust have had appointments cancelled since March 2020 is not centrally available.

I can say that, in relation to appointments, between 18th March 2020 and 13th October 2020, there were 14 confirmed cancer and a further 2,970 red flag suspect cancer cancellations in relation to elective inpatient, day case and regular attender appointments.

While most cancer diagnostics continued throughout the surge period, measures put in place to ensure patient safety in the context of COVID inevitably impacted capacity and, when compounded with patient reluctance to attend hospital for diagnostic appointments, has led to an increased back log.

One of my primary aims in the difficult weeks ahead will be to ensure the continued delivery high quality diagnosis and cancer services, in COVID-19 safe spaces and using the independent sector hospitals where appropriate, providing of course it is safe to do so.

However, we should be under no illusions that these are challenging times. Services are already coming under pressure and as the number of COVID positive in-patients increases, this will have a negative impact on our ability to maintain other services.