Tens of thousands of patients in Northern Ireland wait more than a year just to see a consultant for the first time
Shock new statistics show the extent of hospital waiting lists with department targets breached
Almost 164,000 patients in Northern Ireland are waiting more than year, just to see a consultant for the first time, after GP referral, it emerged today (Thursday).
New Department of Health figures reveal that this represents nearly half of all patients waiting for a first hospital consultant-led appointment.
The statistics, which do not include the South Eastern Trust, highlight the situation at the end of last year - and show a continuing rise in the number of outpatients waiting longer.
In relation to outpatient waiting times, the Department said that by March 2024, at least 50% of patients should wait no longer than nine weeks for a first outpatient appointment, with no patient waiting longer than 52 weeks.
Meanwhile, 52.4% (51,251) of patients were waiting more than 52 weeks for admission on 31 December 2023, compared with 52.5% (54,828) on 30 September 2023 and 54.3% (60,809) on 31 December 2022.
With regard to patients receiving tests or procedures to identify a potential illness, 33.9% (52,011) of patients were waiting more than 26 weeks at the end of 2023 compared with 32.1% (47,478) on 30 September 2023 and 28.7% (37,876) on 31 December 2022.