Butler: Tackling cancer waiting times requires relentless focus

Date published: 1 October 2026

Noting the latest Northern Ireland Cancer Waiting Times figures, the Minister said they showed the scale of the challenge ahead.

Robbie Butler said: 

“Behind every figure is a person waiting for answers and a family living with uncertainty. A suspected cancer diagnosis can be frightening, and I understand how distressing it is when people then face a long wait for assessment or treatment. 

“Today’s figures show the scale of the challenge before us. Whilst there has been great progress made on tackling elective waiting times and innovations in cancer treatments are constantly improving, the overall waiting times position for cancer is not acceptable. 

“However, there are some important indications of improvement. The figures for breast cancer show that the median wait has fallen from 56 days in September 2025 to 38 days in June 2026. As part of a more regional focus on those waiting times, we have invested £5 million through the Elective Care Framework, established a regional Breast Operational Delivery Network and are using additional clinic capacity to help address the backlog. These steps are imperative to improving access.

“There is no doubt that there is still much more to do. As a new Minister, I want to explore what opportunity exists to do more and drive further improvement more rapidly. This work needs consistent leadership and relentless focus. Today’s cancer waiting times underline the importance of political stability, and why we must all remain steadfast on tackling the challenges facing our health service. Patients and staff need that sustained commitment to improve cancer care.”

The Minister added: 

“The Elective Care Framework (ECF) remains the roadmap for tackling our cancer waits on a sustainable basis.  In line with the ECF, Programme for Government funding has been targeted at reducing waits for cancer diagnostics and treatment.  This includes investment in endoscopy, imaging, workforce, phlebotomy and across multiple specialties. 

“In addition to this targeted investment, we are actively understanding, managing and improving whole cancer pathways through structured review, shared learning and strengthened accountability.”