Paul Frew calls for urgent reform on NI cancer waiting lists

Paul Frew, DUP MLA for North Antrim

Paul Frew, DUP MLA for North Antrim, has delivered a forceful appeal during a Northern Ireland Assembly debate on cancer waiting times, urging the Health Minister to take immediate and decisive action to address what he described as a crisis in public trust and patient care.

Frew’s remarks came in support of a motion tabled by party colleagues Diane Dodds MLA and Alan Robinson MLA, whose work on the Health Committee he praised as “service that is second to none”.

“I support the motion from my party colleagues Ms Diane Dodds and Mr Alan Robinson. I place on record our satisfaction and our gratitude… The near-unanimous support for Diane and Alan’s motion is a measure of the strength that they have in that Committee,” he said.

Frew stressed the fundamental importance of timely access to healthcare, warning that the system is failing the public, particularly those facing cancer diagnoses.

“There is nothing more important than the health of our people, because from health springs everything else. Therefore, it is vital that people have a health service when they require it.”

Drawing a distinction between frontline healthcare workers and systemic issues within the Department of Health, Frew spoke of widespread public appreciation for nurses and doctors, while condemning the structural delays that continue to plague the system.

“Very rarely do you get a complaint about a staff member — the caring nurses and doctors… However, there are so many horrific stories from people who come into our offices who are still waiting and waiting and waiting.”

Public Trust at “Lowest Ebb”

Highlighting the human cost behind the statistics, Frew warned that confidence in the Department of Health was “probably at its lowest ebb in decades” and called for strong leadership.

“It is important that we have a strong Minister… probably more important for all of us that we have a strong Minister in Health compared with any other Department.”

Recalling personal and constituent experiences, he described the distress caused by prolonged waiting periods, especially following a cancer diagnosis. He recounted a harrowing encounter with a woman recently diagnosed with cancer who was traumatised by public comments made during the pandemic.

“The devastating effect that those words had on that lady was as if she was melting away in pain, sorrow and anxiety.”

Frew pointed out the psychological toll of being stuck on waiting lists, emphasising how stress can compound physical illness.

“When people sit on waiting lists, it is as if the clock goes faster, and they become more and more anxious and stressed.”

A Call for Transformation, Not Just Investment

While acknowledging the need for funding, Frew insisted that financial resources alone would not solve the deep-rooted issues affecting cancer care in Northern Ireland. He called for a dual strategy of funding and reform.

“Cancer is a devastating illness that needs to be tackled, and we should resolve to do all that we can. However… if we think that we can simply throw money at the issue without the Health Department and the health service being transformed, we are mistaken because one must come with the other.”

Cross-Party Support

The motion received strong backing across the Assembly, underlining the widespread concern over cancer waiting times. The discussion marked a rare moment of political unity in the chamber, centred around a shared commitment to improving health outcomes for Northern Ireland’s population.

As the debate concluded, the DUP reiterated its stance: cancer care must become a top priority, and addressing waiting times is essential to restoring public faith in the system.