Northern Ireland Health Minister launches new regional breast cancer assessment

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt 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 It is a practical, patient-focused change that puts fairness and clinical need first – not geography or outdated processes.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:

1. Breast assessment clinics support both symptomatic and screening referrals.
2. Around 4 in every 100 women screened are referred for further assessment.
3. 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.