Health Minister has welcomed the improving
statistics and commended healthcare staff for their work to
reduce waiting lists.
Minister Nesbitt said: “One of my key priorities is
reducing waiting lists and I welcome the incremental improvements
we have seen in the latest figures. For the first time in
recent years, we have seen a fall in the number of people waiting
for an outpatient appointment, against a backdrop of rising
demand.
“In the last quarter, the number of patients waiting for a first
consultant-led outpatient appointment at hospitals in Northern
Ireland has decreased by over 15,000 patients, while the number
of patients waiting for inpatient or day case admission to
hospitals fell by 7,316, an encouraging downward trend for the
second quarter in a row. In addition, the figures highlight 6,673
fewer patients waiting for a diagnostic test, compared to the
previous quarter.
“This represents a tremendous effort to build capacity, improve
productivity, embrace new ways of working and ensure patients
receive the right treatment, in the right place, in as timely a
manner as possible.
“There is more work to do. Every statistic represents a
patient waiting for an appointment or a procedure. However,
despite the increasing pressure on our services, these statistics
recognise the determination to reform our services to meet
patient need. Our healthcare staff are at the centre of
this effort to increase elective capacity, improving waiting
times and patient outcomes.
“I have no doubt that the ongoing delivery of the Elective Care
Framework will continue to improve these statistics.
Significant numbers of patients are being treated through our
elective care facilities and, in combination with the
modernisation of outpatient services, integration of GP elective
procedures and a digitally enhanced approach to the delivery of
care, I anticipate that we will see further improvement. I am
encouraged by today's figures, while acknowledging the sustained
effort and continued collaboration required to transform our
elective care.”
Notes to editors:
- The latest statistics can be found here www.health-ni.gov.uk/news/publication-quarterly-northern-ireland-outpatient-inpatient-and-day-case-and-diagnostic-waiting-times-statistics-position-31-december-2025
