Northern Ireland's health service delivered 385,182 additional assessments, diagnostics and treatments between April 2025 and March 2026 as part of efforts to reduce hospital waiting lists.

The Department of Health reported that the number of people waiting for a first consultant-led outpatient appointment fell by more than 16,000 in the quarter ending 31 March 2026, reaching 510,680. Inpatient and day case waiting lists also declined.

Patrick McGonagle, 71, from Strabane, received a right knee replacement at Altnagelvin Hospital last Friday after waiting six years. He had been told initially that the wait would be two years. McGonagle described constant pain that affected his mobility and daily planning.

Consultant orthopaedic surgeon Ashok Ramasamy, who performed the operation, said many patients currently undergoing surgery had waited four or five years. He noted that theatre capacity and staffing levels determine how quickly further reductions can be achieved.

The £80 million allocated by the Stormont Executive for the next 12 months will target the longest waits. Theatre utilisation across the region reached 86 percent during the year.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said the results showed what can be achieved through sustained investment and regional working. He said further focused activity will be announced once priorities are finalised.

Named paediatric procedures recorded reductions of 99 percent or more over the year, including primary knee replacements and tonsillectomies.