Have you ever thought about waiting for more than 21 weeks to get the first outpatient appointment in the hospital? Department of Health figures, released yesterday shows that 8,581 people had to wait longer, for a first outpatient appointment in Northern Ireland Hospitals.

The recommended target to wait is of nine weeks. This number has increased manifold from the last year, but has reduced if figures of last quarter are to be considered, when it was 15,715. In the last quarter about 3,289 patients waited for more than 13 weeks to get hospitalized and 600 people waited for more than 21 weeks.

Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey has also said it to be disappointing that the patients are waiting for a longer time, than they should. The report is important to be noticed when the demand for hospital services has increased. That can be confirmed by the increased number of 51,000 outpatient referrals, 19,000 additional operations and 6000 emergency hospital admissions.

"I have done everything possible to protect and sustain services and staff and to ensure that patients do not suffer. I will urge the executives to ensure that our health service does not face further cuts", said McGimpsey.