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Monthly Archives: March 2018
‘Doomed to get worse’: One-third of urgent cancer referrals wait more than two months to be seen
New official stats have shown a third of urgent cancer referrals in Northern Ireland wait more than two months for their first appointment. (Lynne Cameron/PA) March 29 2018 New official stats have shown a third of urgent cancer referrals in Northern Ireland wait more than two months for their first appointment. The figure is for December 2017, and shows a decrease – from 68.7% to 66.4% – for the same period in 2016. From April 2017, the Department’s target for cancer treatment is for 95% of patients urgently referred with a suspect cancer to begin their treatment within 62 days. Figures published on Thursday by the Department of Health for the final quarter of 2017 show the health service falling short of its treatment targets. Ulster Unionist MLA and health spokesman Roy Beggs said it was “deeply disheartening” that cancer services had “suffered a further major deterioration”. “Compared to twelve … Continue reading
Northern Ireland’s cancer patients ‘let down’ by waiting times
80.7% of patients were seen by a breast cancer specialist for a first assessment following an urgent referral for suspect breast cancer within 14 days. This target fell compared to same period in 2016 (stock photo) By Cate McCurry March 30 2018 A third of patients with suspected cancer are being forced to wait too long for treatment as waiting times continue to deteriorate. The latest waiting time figures show that only 66.7% of patients with an urgent referral for suspected cancer started treatment within 62 days during October until December last year. All of Northern Ireland’s health trusts missed the waiting time target of 95% for the last quarter in 2017. Cancer Research UK described it as “extremely disappointing” and said patients are being “let down”. The latest figures show that in December 2017, 348 patients commenced first treatment for cancer following an urgent referral for suspect cancer. Of … Continue reading
Latest cancer waiting times lay bare the tragedy of what is happening across our health service – Beggs
Ulster Unionist Health Spokesperson, Roy Beggs MLA, has said the latest publication of cancer waiting times, which confirmed a further pronounced deterioration in treatment times, illustrates the human tragedy that is gripping the local health service. Roy Beggs said: “Cancer is a disease that thrives in a vacuum, so the sooner it is detected and treatment can begin, the better the chance a patient has of a successful outcome. “It is deeply disheartening therefore to learn that the latest cancer waiting times have suffered a further major deterioration. “Compared to twelve months ago, the two key targets which cancer services are measured against have both worsened. It is outrageous that in December only 66.4% of patients started treatment for cancer within 62 days following an urgent referral – a further fall of over 2% on the year before, and despite the target being 95%. This is shocking and completely unacceptable. … Continue reading
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Beggs welcomes scrambler ban for Loughmourne
East Antrim Ulster Unionist Party representative Roy Beggs MLA has welcomed assurances provided to him by NI Water that preventative signage will be added to Loughmourne reservoir in an attempt to stop unauthorised scrambler use in the area. Roy Beggs MLA said “I have been contacted by concerned constituents in relation to scrambler use at Loughmourne reservoir, Carrickfergus as there is an adverse impact on public safety, nesting birds and the risk of pollution to the adjacent water supply. I am advised that there is no preventative signage up at present to request that scramblers desist from using the NI Water land to race scramblers. I asked NI Water to give an assurance that they will put up signs indicating that scramblers should not be in the area.” An NI Water spokesperson responded to the UUP MLA, saying “I can now confirm that NIW will erect appropriate prohibition signs around … Continue reading
Tooth decay the number one reason for child hospital admissions in …
More than 5,000 children had almost 23,000 teeth taken out in Northern Ireland hospitals last year, figures show. The statistic emerged as the British Dental Association Northern Ireland called for more to be done to tackle the region’s oral health – which they say is the worst in the UK. And the body, that represents local dentists, says preventable tooth decay is costing taxpayers millions of pounds per year. The BDA has thrown its weight behind calls for “root and branch reform of oral health strategy”. They say “new analysis shows extractions of multiple teeth among under-18s could be costing the health service over £9million a year”. A spokesman added: “Tooth decay is the number one reason for child hospital admissions in NI. 5,122 children were admitted to hospital last year for removal of 22,699 teeth. Based on official data the BDA estimate the procedures – which took place under … Continue reading
