AQW 50901/22-27

Mrs Michelle Guy
Alliance Party
Lagan Valley

Tabled Date: 03/09/2026
Answered On Date: 27/09/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health whether his Department intends to review the disparity in audiology and MRI waiting times between Health and Social Care Trusts.

Answer:

My Department recognises and is aware of variation in waiting times between HSC Trusts for Imaging and Audiology services. Such variations can arise for a number of reasons, including differences in local demand, workforce availability, estate capacity, equipment replacement projects and the volume of referrals received. While services are delivered locally by Trusts, my department remains committed to ensuring that patients have equitable access to care based on clinical need rather than geography. Through regional initiatives to expand diagnostic capacity and reduce waiting lists, my department aims to improve consistency of access across Northern Ireland over time.

As part of the Elective Care Framework: Implementation and Funding Plan, £12 million was allocated to diagnostic imaging services. Variation in Trust demand and funded capacity was taken into consideration. When fully implemented, this investment is expected to deliver approximately 7,800 additional imaging sessions each year.

Rapid Diagnosis Centres (RDCs) in the Northern and Southern HSC Trusts provide regional cancer imaging services. HSC Trusts continue to work collaboratively to reduce regional variation across several cancer pathways and to improve timely access to diagnostic investigations. Work continues with HSC Trusts to maximise the use of any available regional capacity and reduce variation.

Variation in waiting times will continue to be reviewed as part of ongoing regional work to expand diagnostic capacity, strengthen workforce sustainability, and improve consistency of access to services for patients regardless of where they live.