Dr Dillon has spoken publicly after his own bowel cancer diagnosis, highlighting serious concerns that Northern Ireland’s screening programme continues to lag behind the rest of the UK.

Mrs Lockhart has been actively lobbying the Department of Health on this issue for some time, pressing the case for Northern Ireland to be brought into line with UK-wide screening standards.

Speaking on the issue, she said:

“I very much welcome Dr Dillon speaking out on this issue. He is not only an outstanding doctor but someone deeply respected and much loved across the Banbridge area. When frontline clinicians raise concerns like this, it must be taken seriously.

This is an issue I have been consistently working on and raising directly with the Health Minister. Early diagnosis of bowel cancer saves lives, we know that. Yet Northern Ireland continues to lag behind other parts of the UK when it comes to screening provision. That is simply unacceptable.

The latest response I have received from the Department of Health indicates there is a commitment to expand the bowel screening programme, but only subject to funding, with work described as ongoing. That falls far short of what is needed.

People will rightly ask how long they are expected to wait, and how many opportunities for early diagnosis will be missed in the meantime. We need clear timelines, proper resourcing, and delivery on the ground, not just commitments on paper.”

Mrs Lockhart reiterated that early detection is key to improving survival rates and said momentum must now be built to deliver change.

She added:

“Dr Dillon has shown real leadership in speaking out, and his intervention is both timely and necessary. This cannot be allowed to drift any further. Patients and families across Northern Ireland deserve access to the same life-saving screening as those elsewhere in the United Kingdom.

I will continue to press this issue until we see real, tangible progress.”

Mrs Lockhart also urged the public to be aware of the key symptoms of bowel cancer, including:



• Persistent changes in bowel habits

• Blood in stools

• Unexplained weight loss

• Ongoing abdominal pain or discomfort

• Unusual fatigue

“Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek medical advice without delay. Early detection can and does save lives.”