Cancer waiting time targets missed across Northern Ireland
Date published:
New accredited official statistics published today by NISRA statisticians in the Department of Health (DoH) present information on waiting times for patients accessing cancer services at hospitals in Northern Ireland between October-December 2025.
Key findings
Patients starting treatment following a decision to treat (31 day target)
- In the quarter ending December 2025, 2,965 patients started their first definitive treatment, 4.4% (124) more than in the previous quarter (2,841). Of these 90.1% (2,672) started treatment within 31 days of a decision to treat, up from 88.0% (2,499) in the previous quarter. The 98% target was not met by any Health and Social Care (HSC) Trust.
Patients starting treatment following an urgent GP referral (62 day target)
- In the quarter ending December 2025, 1,446 patients started their first definitive treatment following an urgent GP referral for suspect cancer, 1.1% (16) more than in the previous quarter (1,430). Of these, 29.5% (426) started treatment within 62 days, compared with 30.1% (430) in the previous quarter. The 95% target was not met.
Patients seen by a breast cancer specialist following an urgent referral (14 day target)
- In the quarter ending December 2025, 3,902 patients were seen by a breast cancer specialist following an urgent referral for suspect breast cancer, 44.6% (1,203) more than in the previous quarter (2,699). Of these, 5.5% (213) were seen within the 14-day target, compared with 6.8% (183) in the previous quarter.
About this publication
This statistical release presents summary statistical information on waiting times for cancer services in NI and reports on the performance of the five Health and Social Care Trusts against draft waiting time targets. All data are Accredited Official Statistics, with the exception of breast cancer referrals data which is Official Statistics in Development.
Further information
Read the full report: Northern Ireland Cancer Waiting Times
View the data tables and background information: Northern Ireland waiting time statistics: cancer waiting times October - December 2025 | Department of Health