Ultrasound – Belfast HSC Trust NOT LIVE
3 in 5 (62.2%)
people on the ultrasound waiting list had waited 6 weeks or less (3,629 waiting).
Official quarterly figure for quarter to Jun 2026 · Department of Health (NI)
Northern Ireland diagnostics data for Quarter ending June 2026, published 3 September 2026
Ultrasound waiting times in Belfast
Waiting times for non-obstetric ultrasounds 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.
Belfast: local hospitals and referrals
- Local NHS organisation: Belfast is served by Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, which runs its hospitals and decides where patients are referred.
- Main emergency department: Royal Victoria Hospital.
- Where to check your own referral: your GP or the hospital booking team at Belfast Health and Social Care Trust can tell you where you would be seen and your expected wait.
- Official source: the Department of Health (Northern Ireland) hospital waiting times statistics.
What is an ultrasound?
Non-obstetric ultrasound uses sound waves to look at organs such as the liver, kidneys, thyroid and pelvis. Pregnancy scans are not included in these figures.
Ultrasound waiting list at Belfast HSC Trust
At the end of the quarter (Quarter ending June 2026), 3,629 people were waiting for an non-obstetric ultrasound at Belfast HSC Trust, of whom 1,372 (37.8%) had waited more than 6 weeks. Across Northern Ireland the figure was 63.7%; 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 ultrasound Northern Ireland
| Quarter ending | Belfast HSC Trust % over 6 weeks | Northern Ireland % over 6 weeks |
|---|---|---|
| June 2026 | 37.8% | 63.7% |
| March 2026 | 57.5% | 62.8% |
| December 2025 | 62.2% | 72.2% |
| September 2025 | 53.5% | 69.6% |
| June 2025 | 45.0% | 70.6% |
| HSC trust | % over 6 weeks |
|---|---|
| Belfast HSC Trust | 37.8% |
| Southern HSC Trust | 43.4% |
| Western HSC Trust | 60.0% |
| South Eastern HSC Trust | 65.9% |
| Northern HSC Trust | 78.9% |
Ultrasound waits in nearby towns
| Nearby town | Distance | Main trust or board | Ultrasound waiting over 6 weeks | Waiting list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor (County Down) | 11 miles | South Eastern HSC Trust | 65.9% | 8,292 |
| Antrim | 14 miles | Northern HSC Trust | 78.9% | 13,348 |
| Ballymena | 23 miles | Northern HSC Trust | 78.9% | 13,348 |
| Newry | 33 miles | Southern HSC Trust | 43.4% | 5,125 |
| Londonderry / Derry | 62 miles | Western HSC Trust | 60.0% | 5,957 |
More for Belfast: all waiting times · MRI scan waiting times in Belfast · CT scan waiting times in Belfast · Endoscopy waiting times in Belfast. England comparison: Ultrasound waiting times in England.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the wait for an ultrasound in Belfast?
37.8% of the 3,629 people waiting for an ultrasound at Belfast HSC Trust had waited more than 6 weeks (Quarter ending June 2026), compared with 63.7% 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.