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Serious concerns have been raised with Health Minister Mike Nesbitt after women across Newry and Armagh reported waiting up to nine weeks for urgent breast cancer referrals, far exceeding the 14-day target.
Newry and Armagh MLA Justin McNulty said he has been contacted by many distressed and frustrated women facing agonising delays after receiving red flag breast cancer referrals some waiting up to nine weeks.
"These are women who are already living with enormous fear and uncertainty. To be facing a wait this long to be seen is simply not good enough," Mr McNulty said.
He said he has raised the issue multiple times with the Minister of Health and will continue to do so until urgent action is taken. "Early detection is crucial and especially so in red flag cases. Delays in assessment and diagnosis are unacceptable and put lives at risk," he said.
Mr McNulty acknowledged the health service is under extraordinary pressure but said cancer does not wait. "These waiting lists represent real people, real families, and real fear. We need immediate investment in diagnostic capacity and staffing."
The MLA said people in Newry and Armagh and right across the North deserve timely access to healthcare, and called on the Minister to make tackling the delays a priority.
