To ask the Minister of Health (i) whether he will introduce transparent performance reporting for red flag referrals across all specialities; and (ii) how his Department plans to rebuild public confidence in urgent referral pathways.

Cancer waiting time targets in Northern Ireland aim for at least 98% of patients to start treatment within 31 days of a decision to treat, and at least 95% to start within 62 days of an urgent GP referral. Additionally, all urgent breast cancer referrals should be seen within 14 days.

Current reporting on performance falls in line with these targets and is provided on a quarterly basis, available at https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/articles/cancer-waiting-times.

Whilst actions 13 and 14 of the Cancer Strategy 2022-2032 refer to the introduction of a 28-day standard for suspected cancer and a review of current cancer targets respectively, there are no immediate plans to review cancer targets or performance reporting at this time.

Reducing waiting lists remains a key priority for me and my Department. The plan to tackle our elective care waiting lists is detailed in the Elective Care Framework that was updated and published again in May last year, available at https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2025-05/doh-elective-care-framework-funding-plan-may-2025.PDF.

My Department continues to undertake work to rebuild public confidence in referral pathways and to tackle the unacceptable backlog of patients waiting. This has included the development of elective care centres, rapid diagnosis centres and mega clinics, which have collectively delivered tangible improvements to the waiting list position.