Northern Ireland’s health service recorded 385,182 additional assessments, diagnostics and treatments in the 2025/26 financial year, as part of a targeted elective care push. The output helped cut some of the longest waiting times in the region.

Endoscopy waiting lists fell by 68% from their June 2022 peak, with nearly 27,000 fewer patients waiting. A further 38% reduction was achieved during 2025/26 alone. Waiting times for MRI scans dropped 18.5% over the same period.

Patients projected to wait more than four years for inpatient and day case care fell by 67%, benefiting over 13,400 individuals. Outpatient waits of over four years reduced by 54%, equivalent to more than 54,600 patients.

A £50 million non-recurrent allocation nearly eliminated long waits for a set of named procedures, including colonoscopy, paediatric squint corrections, PEG tube insertions, gallbladder removals and tonsillectomies. More than 5,300 patients received treatment through this initiative. Long waits for primary hip and knee replacements were cut by 99%.

In community settings, 12,181 interventions were delivered through Primary Care Elective Services. Theatre utilisation across the region reached 86%, while day procedure centres in Omagh and Lagan Valley completed 97% and 88% of their commissioned sessions. Regional endoscopy centres performed over 6,000 procedures in the 12-month period, taking the total since October 2022 to nearly 20,000.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said the improvements demonstrate what determined leadership, sustained investment and collective effort can achieve. He added that challenges remain and demand continues to grow, but focused action is making a real difference for patients. The minister thanked staff for their commitment.

Professor Mark Taylor, regional clinical director for elective care, said sustained regional collaboration is helping more patients get faster access to assessment and treatment, though much work remains.

The Executive has ringfenced £80 million for the next 12 months to maintain momentum, with details of prioritised activities to follow.