Almost 60,000 emergency medical appointments were cancelled in Northern Ireland last year because of a lack of funding , according to a report published by the Department of Health . In more than 52,000 cases , cancellations took place because a consultant was not available . Patricia McKeown , from health workers ' union , blamed the lack of cuts and said : " We are well below the level of doctors and nurses that we should have . " The report also revealed 136,899 patients did not attend appointments .
Almost 60,000 outpatient hospital appointments were cancelled in Northern Ireland last year because of a lack of staff, according to a report published by the Department of Health. In more than 52,000 cases, cancellations took place because a consultant was not available. Patricia McKeown, from health workers' union Unison blamed the culture of cuts and said: "We are well below the level of doctors and nurses that we should have." The report also revealed 136,899 patients did not attend appointments.