"Imagine being told your cancer prognosis is exceptionally positive because you received prompt treatment. This was the fortunate reality for Jennifer Dummigan, whose experience starkly contrasts with many others facing lengthy delays in Northern Ireland’s healthcare system.
Back in December 2023, Jennifer began to notice concerning symptoms, including a persistent tickle in her chest and difficulty while eating. After a visit to her general practitioner in March, she was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer by May and began her treatment by July. In just five months, she progressed from her first doctor’s visit to receiving a comprehensive treatment plan.
Yet, this rapid response is not the norm. Data indicates that countless individuals in Northern Ireland endure prolonged waiting periods for diagnosis and treatment. The charity Cancer Research UK has raised alarms about the urgent need for emergency measures to ensure patient safety in such a precarious situation.
In response to these troubling statistics, Northern Ireland's Department of Health (DoH) acknowledged that the current cancer waiting times are unacceptable and emphasized that addressing these issues is a top priority. They are collaborating with health trusts to tackle the root causes behind these delays.
For Jennifer, her swift access to medical care was crucial for her recovery. The 54-year-old resident of Craigavon expressed deep empathy for those who are stuck on waiting lists, noting that every single day can significantly impact a patient's prognosis. "My prognosis was so favorable because I was seen so promptly," she shared with BBC News NI. Recent scans have shown that she is currently "cancer-free," a status she attributes to the rapidity of her treatment and the excellence of the staff at the cancer center.
She praised her medical team, recounting her journey through stage two cancer, which included five weeks of chemotherapy followed by an oesophagectomy in October. While her recovery has encountered some minor setbacks, she remains optimistic. An oesophagectomy involves the surgical removal of part or all of the oesophagus, with the remaining portion reconnected to the stomach or intestine to facilitate digestion.
Dummigan further highlighted that alongside the physical challenges of battling cancer, the psychological strain can be equally difficult to bear. She recounted a conversation with a friend who had been waiting on a treatment list for six months while she experienced a much shorter wait of merely six weeks. "She was understandably frustrated—perhaps even angry—that I was seen so quickly while she was left waiting," Jennifer revealed.
As a diabetes prevention health coach working within the Southern Health Trust, Dummigan firmly believes that timely access to treatment should not depend on one's location or the type of cancer one has. "It should fall to the health service to ensure equitable access to timely care, regardless of the cancer type," she stated emphatically.
Meanwhile, the cancer services in Northern Ireland are facing a crisis, as emphasized by Naser Turabi, the director of evidence at Cancer Research UK, who underscored the necessity of prioritizing patients in critical need. He warned that delays in cancer treatment can severely impact patient outcomes, leading to a higher risk of mortality, worsening prognoses, and diminished survival rates.
Turabi pointed out that research shows even a single month’s delay in treatment can increase the risk of death by 6-10% for common cancers, affecting not only physical health but also quality of life and mental well-being. He has urged the Northern Ireland Executive to devise an emergency stabilization plan to address these alarming trends.
There is an increasing number of patients referred for suspected cancer and requiring treatment across the UK, yet the situation in Northern Ireland is particularly dire. A recent report from Cancer Research UK indicates that over the past five years, approximately 15,400 patients in Northern Ireland began their treatment after exceeding the 62-day target following a red flag referral. Alarmingly, it has been noted that the monthly count of patients starting treatment post-referral has more than doubled between 2008 and 2025.
Current projections suggest that the waiting times will worsen, with an estimated 20,000 individuals set to miss timely treatment over the next five years. Official data for the quarter ending September 2025 reveals disheartening results:
* The 31-day target (from decision to treatment) saw only 88% of patients treated within the required timeframe, a figure that remains below the target of at least 98%.
* The 62-day target (from urgent GP referral to treatment) met only 30.1% of patients, far beneath the 95% goal, reflecting a decrease from 32.5% in the previous quarter.
* The 14-day target (for urgent breast cancer referrals to specialists) fared even worse, with just 6.8% of patients seen within the stipulated time frame.
Currently, cancer treatment timelines in Northern Ireland are the most problematic in the UK. In light of this pressing issue, Cancer Research UK proposed several actionable steps to improve the situation:
1. Prioritize patients with the highest levels of risk.
2. Closely monitor the volume of individuals needing tests and treatments, addressing pressure points rapidly.
3. Track each patient's cancer journey to ensure clarity and facilitate their progress through every step of the process whenever possible.
4. Set achievable improvement goals for each health trust and specialty.
Responding to the report's findings, the DoH expressed its support and commitment to tackling the fundamental issues by refining cancer pathways, enhancing the capacity for diagnostics and treatment, and maintaining careful tracking of patients throughout their cancer journeys.
A spokesperson noted, "Investment through the Elective Care Framework and the NI Cancer Strategy is backing the expansion of endoscopy and CT/MRI services, along with improvements across various tumor sites. By collaborating with trusts and other system partners, we aim to provide sustainable and equitable cancer care to patients and families throughout Northern Ireland."
The question remains: How can we ensure that everyone receives the timely treatment they deserve? Engage in the comments below—do you agree with the proposed changes, or do you see other solutions?
