"Lives are being disrupted and put at serious risk" due to crisis in healthcare waiting lists - Sugden

Claire Sugden MLA has said the crisis in healthcare waiting lists is having a devastating impact on patients across Northern Ireland — leaving many in pain, battling anxiety, and facing delayed diagnoses that can significantly worsen treatment outcomes.

"Too many people are waiting far too long for vital healthcare. Whether it’s breast screening, orthopaedic surgery, or dermatology referrals — lives are being disrupted, and in some cases, put at serious risk," Ms Sugden said.

The East Derry MLA has submitted a series of Assembly Questions to the Minister of Health to seek clarity on how waiting times are being managed, and what is being done to restore public confidence in the system.

"I’m asking the Minister to publish the current and target waiting times for breast screening services across all Trusts. Women are contacting me terrified as they wait for appointments that may confirm a cancer diagnosis — this is simply unacceptable.

"Many people are waiting months with a potential cancer diagnosis looming and are unsure when they’ll l even be seen. The anxiety is overwhelming. And then there are those living in daily pain, unable to walk properly, work, or care for loved ones while they wait for surgery. This is not the care people deserve."

In her questions to the Minister, she is also pressing for details on when single regional waiting lists will be fully rolled out, and how patient experiences — especially those who must travel further for care — are being monitored.

"If patients are being asked to travel outside their local area for treatment, we need to make sure those systems are working, that communication is clear, and that no one is being left behind because they can’t access transport or digital updates.

"There’s a deep frustration and loss of faith in the system. People aren’t getting answers. They aren’t being kept informed. We need to rebuild confidence by being honest about the challenges, but also clear about the solutions and timelines.

“Our healthcare workers are working incredibly hard and doing everything they can — but the system itself is failing. We must do more. We owe it not only to the people waiting in pain, in fear, but also to the staff who are under an immense amount of pressure which is unsustainable.

“Change must come — for the patients, for the staff, and for the future of our health service.”