'The wait was awful' - East Derry MLA reveals she had to wait 12 weeks for appointment following red flag referral

Claire Sugden MLA has warned that waiting times in Northern Ireland are unacceptable, with patients left waiting weeks and even months for urgent red flag appointments.

“Patients who have been red flagged for suspected cancer are waiting up to nine weeks for an appointment, more than a month past what is meant to be the maximum,” Ms Sugden said.

“That should never happen. Red flag is supposed to mean urgent, yet people are left waiting in fear and uncertainty. Every week of delay is another week of anxiety, and another week where their health could be at risk.”

“Earlier this year I was given a red flag referral and waited 12 weeks for an appointment,” she said.

“Thankfully there was no issue in my case, but the wait was awful. I know for many others the outcome is different, and that makes these delays all the more worrying.”

Ms Sugden said she supported the move to a regional referral system but that it is not yet working as intended.

“It was meant to end the postcode lottery between Trusts, but instead it seems to have created new problems. Patients are still waiting far too long. I know staff are working hard under pressure, but that does not change the fact that the system is failing people.

“This is about people left in limbo for weeks and months when they should be getting answers and treatment. No one should have to live with that level of fear while waiting to be seen. I will keep pressing the Minister until urgent referrals are met within target times, because people deserve reassurance and care when they need it most.”