Hospital waiting times have increased over the past three months, with 29,149 patients waiting longer than the department's target of nine weeks for an appointment.
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The number has risen by 26.4%, according to a report from the Department of Health. Of these patients, 15,246 were kept waiting more than 13 weeks for their first appointment.
It also said there were 142 patients waiting longer than 36 weeks for inpatient admission at the end of June 2010.
Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said the figures were not unexpected after budget cuts at the department.
"It is very disappointing to see these increases," the minister said. "These rises are not, however, unexpected.
"I have been warning about this scenario for many months. It is a direct result of my budget being repeatedly cut. If my budget is to be further cut then there will be more rises because we simply cannot meet the demand for services without the funding to match it."
He said the Health and Social Care service must focus on bringing in new staff to help reduce the number of people in the waiting list.
"I will make sure that we build capacity as quickly as possible and within the funds available," Mr McGimpsey continued.
"My spending plans for 2010-11 include a commitment of £25 million a year to help create additional posts including more doctors and nurses, to ensure we have the right number of staff in place to respond to the needs of the population.
"However, this will take time to work through and we can expect waiting times to increase further over the next few months. If the Health and Social Care Service is subject to major spending reductions next year, then waiting times will be at further risk."
A national survey, meanwhile, found that two hospitals in Northern Ireland have fallen short of national waiting time figures for hip replacement.
At the Royal Victoria hospital in Belfast, 63% of hip surgery patients are treated within 48 hours - the national average is 81%.
Meanwhile, at Altnagelvin hospital in Co Londonderry, the figure for patients seen within the first two days was 69%.
The report, which was carried out by the Royal College of Surgeons, said waiting times in some areas were "unacceptable".
Reasons for delay include waiting for space on an operating theatre list, not enough staff, waiting for beds and patients not being medically fit for surgery.
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