Waiting list figures delay angers Labour

The Labour Party is calling on the Minister for Health to explain why hospital waiting list figures from last year have still not been released.

The party's health spokesperson Liz McManus has made the query, claiming this afternoon that figures for December are usually out by the following March.

She says this has not yet happened this year - and wants to know why.

She said: "I think it's unacceptable that these figures are in effect being kept secret at a time when a lot of people are being concerned about safety levels in hospitals."