To ask the Minister of Health for an update on his Department's target to introduce a 28-day standard between first referral for suspected cancer to confirmation of a cancer diagnosis.

Action 13 of the Cancer Strategy for Northern Ireland 2022-32 refers to the introduction of a 28-day standard to track the time for all people from first referral for suspected cancer to confirmation of a cancer diagnosis, including the completion of any necessary diagnostic and staging investigations.

Initial work has commenced to explore the introduction of a 28-day cancer diagnosis standard in Northern Ireland, aligned with the Faster Diagnosis Standard currently in place in England. This is a complex programme of work which is dependent on the embedding of the encompass digital health record system, together with the development of robust data collection and reporting arrangements across a wide range of cancer pathways.

Despite challenging financial and workforce pressures, progress continues to be made in delivering the actions set out in the Cancer Strategy. However, substantial and sustained additional investment is required to enable full implementation of this and other actions.