The Department of Health have launched a new online system for patients to check how long they are likely to wait for a specialist hospital appointment.
The initiative has been developed to improve and centralise the information already publicly available to patients. Patients can find out the average waiting times for a first outpatient appointment across the different clinical specialities in each Health and Social Care Trust area.
My Waiting Times NI will be expanded over time to also provide the latest waiting time information for procedures, treatment, inpatients, daycases and diagnostics.
Click here to view the site
It will be updated on the first Thursday of each month with the latest waiting time information.
You can find out more in the frequently asked questions below.
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What are these waiting times for?
These waiting times are average waiting times for a first outpatients hospital appointment across the different clinical specialties in each Health and Social Care Trust area.
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How do I find out how long I will need to wait for my appointment?
You start by selecting the Health and Social Care Trust that is managing your care, then you select the clinical specialty appointment you are waiting for. Average waiting times will be displayed and are broken down in order of priority e.g. red flag, urgent or routine.
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If the waiting times are shorter for another Health and Social Care Trust, can I move to the shorter list?
Patients will receive their treatment in order of clinical priority. Moving to another hospital or Trust does not mean that you will receive treatment any quicker and, in some circumstances, could mean having to repeat certain tests, investigations or appointments which would mean waiting longer.
We would encourage patients to remain under the care of their existing hospital. Should capacity become available elsewhere to be treated earlier, then the hospital will be in touch with patients directly to discuss the options.
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How often are these waiting times updated?
The webpages are updated on the first Thursday of each month.
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I’m on a waiting list but I don’t think I need the treatment anymore?
If you no longer require treatment, please contact the Health and Social Care Trust responsible for your care. Contact details can be found here.