AQW 47532/22-27 Written question to the Minister of Health
To ask the Minister of Health for an update on endoscopy waiting times.
Asked by Connie Egan MLA on 1 June 2026
- Answered
- Written
- After due date
- Tabled
- 1 June 2026
- Answer due by
- 16 June 2026
- Answered
- 30 June 202629 days after tabling
- Department
- Department of Health
- Priority question
- No
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.