To ask the Minister of Health to detail (i) the current waiting times for red flag breast referrals; and (ii) what action he is taking to increase capacity within breast clinics to reduce waiting lists.

(i) The most recent official statistics for red flag breast cancer referrals were published on 2 October 2025 referring to the quarter end of June 2025. Figures for median waiting times for red flag breast cancer referrals are given in Table 1 which follows.

Table 1. Median waiting times for red flag breast cancer referrals

at quarter end June 2025.

Source: Department of Health Hospital Waits Information Branch, Cancer Waiting Times Dataset.

Notes:

1 A new regional breast cancer service was launched on 8 May 2025 and breakdowns by Trust are no longer applicable. Data for quarter ending June 2025 include the transition period from a Trust to a regional service.

2 Given the relatively recent transition of Southern and Western Trusts to encompass on 8 May 2025, validated breast cancer referrals data for these Trusts were not available for inclusion at the time of publication.

3 Data sourced from the encompass system.

4 The figures above refer to waiting times for red flag breast cancer referrals during the reporting period. They do not indicate expected future waiting times.

5 To avoid distortion due to long waits, the Department reports on the median (the ‘middle’ waiting time) instead of mean waiting time.

Due to essential data validation processes, there is a reporting delay. Therefore, data beyond June 2025 is unavailable. The next Cancer Waiting Time Statistics bulletin, covering the period from 1 July to 30 September 2025, is scheduled for publication on 15 January 2026.

(ii) My Department recognises that the current regional waiting time for red flag breast assessment across the region is unacceptable. My Department is working closely with Health and Social Care (HSC) Trusts to increase capacity through the delivery of additional clinics. In response to the immediate pressures, my Department is working closely with Trusts to implement regional waiting list clinics over the next few months; evenings and Saturday sessions have been confirmed for all Trusts for October. Trusts have also been instructed to prioritise red flag referrals within existing core capacity to ensure timely access for the most clinically urgent cases. The Independent Sector will also be used to supplement short-term capacity.

As part of the Elective Care Framework (ECF), targeted investment has been identified to enhance breast service provision across the region. In collaboration with HSC Trusts, we are actively progressing a range of solutions including drawing on best practice from other jurisdictions, exploring innovative workforce skill mix models, and redesigning care pathways, all aimed at improving service efficiency and delivering better outcomes for patients.

My Department continues to monitor the situation closely and remains committed to improving access to timely and appropriate care.