AQW 47532/22-27


Ms Connie Egan
Alliance Party
North Down


Tabled Date: 01/06/2026
Answered On Date: 30/06/2026
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Minister of Health for an update on endoscopy waiting times.


Answer:
The number of patients waiting for an endoscopy procedure at the end of the last four quarters are shown in the table below, broken down by time band.
Quarter Ending
0 - 9 Weeks
9 - 26 Weeks
26 - 52 Weeks
52 - 78 Weeks
Over 78 Weeks
Total
30 June 2025
5,851
2,018
1,285
642
2,459
12,255
30 September 2025
5,804
1,792
1,345
588
1,062
10,591
31 December 2025
5,927
1,565
1,070
309
459
9,330
31 March 2026
5,679
1,180
635
282
201
7,977
Source: Department of Health, Hospital Waiting Time Statistics
Between 30 June 2025 and 31 March 2026, there has been a 35% reduction in the total number waiting, alongside a 92% reduction in the number of patients waiting in excess of 78 weeks.
My Department continues to invest in endoscopy capacity to further reduce waiting times. As part of the Elective Care Framework: Implementation and Funding Plan, £13m is being invested to deliver an additional 16,500 endoscopy procedures per year across all Health and Social Care Trusts.