15 January 2026
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA has said the latest cancer waiting time statistics show an Executive that is failing to prioritise one of its most fundamental responsibilities.
Commenting on figures published today by the Department of Health, Mr McGrath said that while the Minister continues to present a picture of steady progress, the reality for too many patients is one of unacceptable delay, anxiety and uncertainty.
South Down MLA Colin McGrath said:
“Behind every statistic is a person who has heard the word ‘cancer’ and is now waiting, often far too long, for treatment to begin. For those patients and their families, reassurance and spin mean nothing, they need outcomes.
“While 88% of patients began treatment within 31 days of a decision to treat, performance against the more critical 62-day target following an urgent GP referral continues to deteriorate. Only 30% of patients were treated within that timeframe, a fall on the previous quarter and a clear indication that early diagnosis and rapid access to care are not being delivered.
“Cancer care is a stated Programme for Government priority, yet these figures show it is slipping down the Executive’s list. The Minister is heavily focused on selling structural reform and the neighbourhood model of care, but reform without a grip on performance simply leaves patients behind.
“Cancer does not wait for system change to bed in. The Executive must stop pretending that everything is broadly okay and start taking responsibility for outcomes that are clearly going in the wrong direction.”