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Breast cancer: Seven-week wait for some red flag patients Breast cancer: Seven-week wait for some red flag patients
(32 minutes later)
The target set by Northern Ireland's Department of Health for patients red flagged for breast cancer to be assessed is 14 days Mary O'Hagan was told that she could now expected to wait 8 or 9 weeks
Some patients who have been red flagged for breast cancer assessments are waiting up to seven weeks to be seen in Northern Ireland.Some patients who have been red flagged for breast cancer assessments are waiting up to seven weeks to be seen in Northern Ireland.
The target set by Northern Ireland's devolved Department of Health (DOH) - which oversees five health and social care trusts - is 14 days.The target set by Northern Ireland's devolved Department of Health (DOH) - which oversees five health and social care trusts - is 14 days.
Mary (not her real name), who was red flagged by her GP last week, told BBC News NI she would have at least a five-week wait to be seen. Mary O'Hagan was red flagged for a breast cancer assessment - she said she was "stressed" by the news she would have to wait several weeks.
She said her doctor was "very apologetic" but could not give her a definitive timescale.
The DOH said work is ongoing with trusts to increase capacity through additional clinics and workforce planning.The DOH said work is ongoing with trusts to increase capacity through additional clinics and workforce planning.
"I don't know when I'm going to receive a letter that will give me a date," she told The Nolan Show.
BBC News NI understands that several breast cancer consultants are concerned that waiting times have spiralled since a new regional system for handling referrals was introduced.BBC News NI understands that several breast cancer consultants are concerned that waiting times have spiralled since a new regional system for handling referrals was introduced.
The system was criticised for creating a postcode lottery network as, depending on a patient's address, some were being seen more quickly than others.The system was criticised for creating a postcode lottery network as, depending on a patient's address, some were being seen more quickly than others.
Before its introduction, health trusts managed their own red flag referrals.Before its introduction, health trusts managed their own red flag referrals.
In May, all red flag referrals in the Western Trust were seen within 14 days, making it one of the better performing trusts at meeting its target.In May, all red flag referrals in the Western Trust were seen within 14 days, making it one of the better performing trusts at meeting its target.
However, within weeks of the regional system starting, some patients were waiting up to seven weeks, with the latest data showing 250 patients waited more than 14 days for a red flag breast clinic appointment.However, within weeks of the regional system starting, some patients were waiting up to seven weeks, with the latest data showing 250 patients waited more than 14 days for a red flag breast clinic appointment.
More than 1,100 people across Northern Ireland are on a red flag list.More than 1,100 people across Northern Ireland are on a red flag list.
One health trust source told BBC News NI that the regional system was proving too complex to manage, with projections of waiting lists rising to 11 weeks by the end of September.One health trust source told BBC News NI that the regional system was proving too complex to manage, with projections of waiting lists rising to 11 weeks by the end of September.
'It's a real concern' The target set by Northern Ireland's Department of Health for patients red flagged for breast cancer to be assessed is 14 days
Mary said she was proactive and had been for regular breast screening appointments so it was "very frustrating" to now be unable to access the services she needs. 'I'm in limbo'
She said the delays showed the health system in Northern Ireland was "broken". Mary O'Hagan from Maghera, County Londonderry, was red flagged for a breast cancer assessment by her GP after discovering a hot red patch on her right breast.
"I've felt that from afar but now this is a reality for me because it is impacting on me," she said. When she was referred, Mary, who is still waiting for an appointment, was told the waiting time used to be two weeks but she could now expected to wait eight or nine weeks.
"I really do feel that actually it's also a lesser service as women we're getting." "When any woman finds a lump your stomach just drops", she told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme.
Mary has been on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for a number of years, which she had to stop while she waited for a breast cancer referral. "The first thing we think of is breast cancer, you think of everything that could be ahead of you, going home to tell your family and where you could be at in 3 months' time or six months' time."
"My age and the fact that I'm on HRT puts me at the higher risk," she said. Mary, who swam an English channel relay in June, said that her current situation makes her feel "stressed".
"So all my symptoms that the HRT was managing, that's all not in place any more, so you can imagine my sleep, anxiety and everything will be impacted by all this stress. It's terrible." "As soon as I finish one thing I book the next thing, I'm kid of in limbo at the minute for I don't know where I am going to be at in three months' time," she added.
Mary said that, while she realised she "shouldn't stress" about something she could not control, it was "not a great situation". "It's shocking to think that early detection is potentially being affected."
"I'm a mum, I work full time, I cannot afford to let it take over my life but it is a real concern," she said. She said, "it's obviously not working, maybe they need to get back around the table and have another look at this and get patients seen a lot sooner".
'Unacceptable waiting times''Unacceptable waiting times'
The new red flag initiative was announced in May by Health Minister Mike Nesbitt in response to the "unacceptable" waiting times for breast cancer services in Northern Ireland.The new red flag initiative was announced in May by Health Minister Mike Nesbitt in response to the "unacceptable" waiting times for breast cancer services in Northern Ireland.
The aim was to enable people from across all the health trusts to access the earliest appointment available to them, no matter where they live.The aim was to enable people from across all the health trusts to access the earliest appointment available to them, no matter where they live.
For instance, patients living in the South Eastern Health Trust have been offered referrals and screening appointments in the Western Health Trust including at the weekend.For instance, patients living in the South Eastern Health Trust have been offered referrals and screening appointments in the Western Health Trust including at the weekend.
Not all patients, however, are able to make that journey or a weekend appointment.Not all patients, however, are able to make that journey or a weekend appointment.
Nesbitt said that it was not acceptable for women in one trust area to have to wait significantly longer to be assessed than women in another trust area "so this will help address the disparities between the trusts".Nesbitt said that it was not acceptable for women in one trust area to have to wait significantly longer to be assessed than women in another trust area "so this will help address the disparities between the trusts".
As the system has been operating for about three months, others have said it needs time to bed in and that summer leave among medics has also been an issue.As the system has been operating for about three months, others have said it needs time to bed in and that summer leave among medics has also been an issue.
Sources have told the BBC some of the health trusts felt they were in a better position to manage the lists, but as some breast units were better staffed than others, this did not produce an equitable appointment system.Sources have told the BBC some of the health trusts felt they were in a better position to manage the lists, but as some breast units were better staffed than others, this did not produce an equitable appointment system.
In a statement, the Department of Health (DOH) told BBC News NI while the regional approach aims to equalise waiting times and improve fairness, it does not in itself reduce the overall waiting time.In a statement, the Department of Health (DOH) told BBC News NI while the regional approach aims to equalise waiting times and improve fairness, it does not in itself reduce the overall waiting time.
They added that it does not directly increase the number of appointments but significantly improves how existing capacity is utilised.They added that it does not directly increase the number of appointments but significantly improves how existing capacity is utilised.
The DOH said they recognise that there is a core demand, amounting to almost 4 clinics per week.The DOH said they recognise that there is a core demand, amounting to almost 4 clinics per week.
To help address the demand, the DOH has secured £5m recurrent funding to increase HSCT's core capacity.To help address the demand, the DOH has secured £5m recurrent funding to increase HSCT's core capacity.
The department said they will continue to monitor the situation closely and are committed to improving access to timely and appropriate care.The department said they will continue to monitor the situation closely and are committed to improving access to timely and appropriate care.