Health Minister has announced the launch of a
regional approach for red flag breast cancer assessments, a major
reform aimed at equalising waits for patients across Northern
Ireland.
The new regional system is now live and is designed to address
long standing disparities in waiting times and ensure that all
patients referred with suspected breast cancer are seen based on
clinical need rather than postcode. The initiative reflects the
Minister's broader drive to improve patient outcomes and restore
public confidence in diagnostic services.
The rollout has been supported by the implementation of the
encompass electronic patient record system, now live across all
Health and Social Care Trusts. This digital infrastructure
enables coordinated appointment booking across the region and
improves the use of available capacity.
Minister Nesbitt said: “Far too many women have
waited too long, and that is simply not acceptable. This new
regional waiting list is a clear signal that we are serious about
doing things differently. It is a practical, patient-focused
change that puts fairness and clinical need first – not geography
or outdated processes.
“While this initiative focuses on breast cancer
assessment, it represents something bigger – a step toward a more
responsive, more equitable health service for everyone. I have
also commissioned a wider review of breast services. This review
will develop standards for a regional breast service. My
commitment is to ensure that all patients across Northern Ireland
get the care they need, when they need it, wherever they
live.
“I'm focused on rebuilding our health service and that
means tackling the gap between capacity and demand, investing in
staff and making better use of our existing facilities. This is
how we stablise, reform and transform and this initiative is a
clear example of that approach in action.”
The South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust (SEHSCT) is
managing the regional waiting list through a centralised
administrative team. While most patients will still attend their
local hospital, they may be offered an earlier appointment at one
of the following five acute hospital sites:
- Altnagelvin Area Hospital (Western HSC Trust)
- Antrim Area Hospital (Northern HSC Trust)
- Belfast City Hospital (Belfast HSC Trust)
- Craigavon Area Hospital (Southern HSC Trust)
- Ulster Hospital Dundonald (South Eastern HSC Trust)
Patients will continue to be referred and triaged by their home
Trust, with those meeting red flag criteria passed to a regional
booking team managed by the South Eastern Trust. They will be
contacted directly and offered the earliest available appointment
anywhere in the region, with the option to wait for a local slot
if preferred. After assessment, patients will return to their
home Trust for any necessary treatment. Support with travel may
be available for eligible individuals, and a new regional breast
pain service is also being developed to help ease demand on
assessment clinics.
Minister Nesbitt added: “ This is a change built on
partnership. It has been achieved through genuine co-production
between clinicians, Trusts, administration teams and most
importantly, the patients we serve. I want to thank everyone
involved for making this major reform possible.”
Breast assessment services provide outpatient diagnostics for
people referred with red flag symptoms of suspected breast
cancer. These ‘one stop' clinics may include a breast
examination, imaging (mammogram or ultrasound), and biopsy if
required. A multidisciplinary team including breast specialists,
radiologists, pathologists, nurses, and support staff delivers
this complex care.
This regional system currently applies only to red flag breast
cancer referrals. Patients with other breast-related symptoms
will continue to be seen through local pathways; however the
review of breast services will set standards and make
recommendations for the delivery of all symptomatic breast
services.
Notes to editors:
- Breast assessment clinics support both symptomatic and
screening referrals.
- Around 4 in every 100 women screened are referred for further
assessment.
- The Department of Health is currently undertaking a
comprehensive review of the breast cancer pathway to deliver
long-term improvements in quality, equity
and sustainability.