Northern Ireland has recorded its highest ever number of people waiting for an appointment with a hospital consultant.
More than half a million people are now on lists to have their first consultation with a specialist.
Figures released by the Department of Health reveal that as of 30 September this year, 506,612 people had yet to be seen.
The longest outpatient waiting list is for general surgery, however, every treatment specialism list has grown, with the exception of ophthalmology.