Heart care waits rise for third consecutive month

The heart care waiting list rose for the third month in a row in England, yet again bucking the trend of overall waiting lists declining. 

Latest NHS England figures published today show that cardiac waiting lists rose to 408,548 at the end of February 2024 in England – an increase of 487 on the previous month. It is close to the record high of 409,541 set in September 2023. 

The new figures also show:

• The rise in the heart care waiting list bucks the trend – the overall NHS waiting list dropped by 36,198 in February 2024 in England.
 
• In February 2024, the heart care waiting list was 35% larger than two years ago in February 2022 - an increase of 105,576 people. 
 
• There was an increase in the number of people waiting over four months for potentially lifesaving heart care at the end of February 2024. Well over a third (40%) of all people on waiting lists for cardiac care are waiting over 18 weeks for care. 
 
• The number of people waiting over a year for time-critical heart tests and treatments fell to 10,212 from 10,304 in February. Just 28 people were waiting this long in February 2020.  
 
• The latest average ambulance response time for category 2 calls in England – which includes suspected heart attacks and strokes - was just under 34 minutes in March 2024. This is down from 36 minutes in February 2024. 

• It remains over the pre-pandemic target of 18 minutes for responding to category 2 calls - which includes suspected heart attacks and strokes. NHS England and Government have set an average target of 30 minutes for 2024/25.   This target has been met in just one month since April 2023. 

The longer people wait for treatment, the higher their risk of becoming disabled from heart failure or dying prematurely.   

Dr Sonya Babu-Narayan, our Associate Medical Director and Consultant Cardiologist, said: “It’s shocking to see that heart care waiting lists have risen for the third month in a row despite overall waiting lists falling.

“Timely heart treatment isn’t a luxury that people can live without. Long waits put people at risk of avoidable heart attacks, heart failure and even premature death. 

“As we reported earlier this year, extreme and ongoing pressures on NHS heart care alongside Covid-19 are amongst several factors that contributed to 39,000 premature deaths involving cardiovascular disease in 2022.

“We need to see bold action to prioritise lifesaving NHS heart care and put an end to these agonising waits.”

We've launched our Hearts Need More campaign calling on politicians of all parties to prioritise cardiovascular disease care in the run-up to the next general election, and when a new Government is formed.

WHY OUR HEARTS NEED MORE