Northern Ireland’s department of health has spent around £130 million over the last three years in order to decrease patient waiting times and meet government targets.

Private healthcare is also excelling in providing specialist care, providing care in fields including ophthalmology, urology, dermatology and orthopaedics, with such clinics receiving over £14.5 million between 20120 and 2011 from the Belfast health trust.

The Health and Social Care Board have said that the private sector has contributed to achieving a significant reduction in waiting times and improved performance.