To ask the Minister of Health to detail the waiting time statistics for non-urgent breast pain clinics.

The Department does not routinely collect or hold waiting time data specifically categorised as nonurgent breast pain clinics. Waiting times within Health and Social Care (HSC) services are recorded and reported on the basis of clinical priority classifications; red flag, urgent and routine and are not disaggregated by presenting symptom, including breast pain.

Accordingly, it is not possible to provide waiting time statistics specifically for nonurgent breast pain clinics, as no such discrete category exists within HSC waiting time datasets and my Department does not hold validated data in this form. There is currently no specific HSC or Departmental waiting time standard applicable to nonurgent breast pain referrals.

My Department continues to work closely with HSC Trusts to address outpatient waiting times as part of its wider elective care reform programme, while ensuring that patients with the most urgent clinical needs continue to be prioritised for assessment and treatment.