Hospital cardiac waiting lists in Northern Ireland continue to rise

Hospital waiting lists for potentially life saving heart care are continuing to rise according to new Northern Ireland Department of Health data released today.

The latest statistics reveal that 2,713 people in Northern Ireland were waiting for a cardiac appointment, surgery, treatment or procedure in hospital in June 2021, an increase on the previous quarterly figures. More than two in five had been waiting more than six months and a quarter had been waiting more than a year. 

The figures also show 14,961 people were waiting for a diagnostic echocardiogram at the end of June 2021, with almost half (7,082) waiting more than six months. 

Head of British Heart Foundation Northern Ireland (BHF NI) Fearghal McKinney said:

“These figures show that more people are waiting for a cardiac appointment. Despite our health and social care staff working tirelessly throughout the pandemic, we are still seeing ever-increasing cardiac waiting lists. 

“Delaying cardiovascular care can cost lives. Although it is encouraging that the number of people on the waiting list for cardiac surgery has decreased the number of people waiting for a diagnostic test or to see a cardiologist is likely to grow further as referrals pick up. Logic would suggest that some of these people will then be added to the waiting list for cardiac surgery once they have a diagnosis.  

“Many people on these lists will be worried and anxious. Delaying cardiovascular care can lead to a worsening of their condition as time goes by or even cost lives.”

Fearghal McKinney added:  

“Once again, we are calling for heart services to be prioritised, protected and expanded so that hundreds of heart patients receive the treatment they so desperately need. 

“An ambitious, long term, strategic plan, informed by innovative thinking along with significant and recurrent funding for cardiac care will ensure that services build back better. We must see this commitment to cardiac services from the Department of Health in the form of a heart disease strategy."

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