On Tuesday 7th June 2016, MLAs debated the following motion:
“That this Assembly notes the continuing crisis in hospital waiting times with 376,382 people waiting for a first outpatient appointment, diagnostic test or inpatient treatment as of 31 March 2016; further notes that whilst there has been some limited improvement over recent months, the situation remains considerably worse than twelve months previously; expresses deep concern that the number of outpatients waiting longer than the maximum permitted time increased from 15,000 to 100,000, over 500 per cent, during the duration of the last Assembly term; accepts that targets are set in the interests of quality and safety of patient care and that, with every delay, there is a risk of ailments progressing and patients coming to harm; and calls on the Minister of Health to detail what action she proposes to take to address this unprecedented crisis.”
You can read a transcript of the debate on our website.