Northern Ireland diagnostics data for Quarter ending June 2026, published 3 September 2026
CT waiting times in Belfast
Waiting times for CT scans at Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, which serves Belfast, Northern Ireland.
These are Northern Ireland figures, not NHS England data. Health services in Northern Ireland are run separately and publish their own statistics, which use different definitions. Figures here come from the Department of Health (Northern Ireland) hospital waiting times statistics. Emergency department waiting times for Northern Ireland are published quarterly as a report; see the Department of Health link for the latest A&E figures.
A CT (computed tomography) scan uses X-rays and a computer to make cross-section images of the body. It is quick and widely used for the chest, abdomen, head and to stage cancer.
At the end of the quarter (Quarter ending June 2026), 2,955 people were waiting for a CT scan at Belfast HSC Trust, of whom 1,235 (41.8%) had waited more than 6 weeks. Across Northern Ireland the figure was 46.8%; a lower percentage is better. Northern Ireland diagnostic figures are published quarterly by the Department of Health and count people waiting more than 6 weeks at the end of the quarter.
Belfast HSC Trust: % waiting over 6 weeks for CT Northern Ireland
| Quarter ending | Belfast HSC Trust % over 6 weeks | Northern Ireland % over 6 weeks |
|---|---|---|
| June 2026 | 41.8% | 46.8% |
| March 2026 | 49.7% | 40.0% |
| December 2025 | 48.8% | 45.0% |
| September 2025 | 35.9% | 36.2% |
| June 2025 | 41.5% | 43.3% |
| HSC trust | % over 6 weeks |
|---|---|
| Western HSC Trust | 39.6% |
| Belfast HSC Trust | 41.8% |
| Northern HSC Trust | 49.4% |
| Southern HSC Trust | 49.7% |
| South Eastern HSC Trust | 50.1% |
CT waits in nearby towns
| Nearby town | Distance | Main trust or board | CT waiting over 6 weeks | Waiting list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor (County Down) | 11 miles | South Eastern HSC Trust | 50.1% | 3,122 |
| Antrim | 14 miles | Northern HSC Trust | 49.4% | 2,937 |
| Ballymena | 23 miles | Northern HSC Trust | 49.4% | 2,937 |
| Newry | 33 miles | Southern HSC Trust | 49.7% | 2,514 |
| Londonderry / Derry | 62 miles | Western HSC Trust | 39.6% | 1,365 |
More for Belfast: all waiting times · MRI · Ultrasound · Endoscopy. England comparison: CT waiting times in England.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the wait for a CT scan in Belfast?
41.8% of the 2,955 people waiting at Belfast HSC Trust had waited more than 6 weeks (Quarter ending June 2026), compared with 46.8% across Northern Ireland.
Why is this not the same measure as England?
Northern Ireland diagnostic figures are published quarterly by the Department of Health and count people waiting more than 6 weeks at the end of the quarter. England reports the share waiting under 6 weeks from NHS England’s DM01 return.
Where do these figures come from?
From the Department of Health (Northern Ireland) hospital waiting times statistics, published under the Open Government Licence.