To ask the Minister of Health whether any assessment has been made of the impact that pressures in diagnostic imaging and gynaecology services are having on ovarian cancer diagnosis times.

My Department is aware of the pressures currently impacting diagnostic imaging and gynaecology services, and the potential implications these may have for timely cancer diagnosis, including ovarian cancer.

While a specific, standalone assessment has not been undertaken on the direct impact of these pressures on ovarian cancer diagnosis times, the issue is actively captured and monitored through broader analysis of cancer waiting times, diagnostic performance, and elective care data. This provides a clear understanding of where delays may arise across cancer pathways.

Ovarian cancer diagnosis is inherently complex and typically requires a combination of diagnostic imaging, including ultrasound and CT scanning, laboratory testing, and specialist gynaecology assessment. Pressures in any part of this pathway, particularly in imaging capacity and workforce availability within gynaecology services, are recognised as key factors that may contribute to delays from referral through to diagnosis.

My Department routinely monitors performance against Northern Ireland cancer waiting time targets, including the 62-day target from urgent GP referral to first definitive treatment. Variances against these targets provide a clear indicator of system pressures, including diagnostic bottlenecks.

Work is ongoing across Health and Social Care to address these challenges. This includes investment in diagnostic capacity through the Elective Care Framework, including:

the expansion of regional diagnostic services;

targeted efforts to stabilise and grow the radiology and gynaecology workforce;

the implementation of clinically prioritised waiting lists; and,

ongoing pathway reform to improve patient flow and reduce delays.

In addition, my Department continues to engage closely with clinicians and service planners to identify where delays occur across cancer pathways, including in gynaecological cancers, and to take forward targeted improvement actions.

My Department remains committed to ensuring that service pressures are addressed and that patients receive timely diagnosis and treatment, regardless of pathway complexity or point of access.