BHF comment
Heart care waits rise to new record high
The heart care waiting list in England has risen to a new record high, bucking the trend of overall waiting lists declining for the fourth month in a row.
Latest NHS England figures published today show that cardiac waiting lists rose to 414,596 at the end of March 2024 in England – an increase of 6,048 on the previous month. This is the highest total on record.
The heart care waiting list is 78% larger than in February 2020. This is an increase of 182,000 people – enough to fill Wembley stadium twice over.
There was an increase in the number of people waiting over four months for potentially lifesaving heart care at the end of March 2024, hitting the highest level on record. Well over a third (41%) of all people on waiting lists for cardiac care are waiting over 18 weeks for care, now at 168,403. This is almost triple February 2020, despite heart care being time-critical.
The number of people waiting over a year for time-critical heart tests and treatments has risen to 10,893 from 10,212 in February. Just 28 people were waiting this long in February 2020.
The latest average ambulance response time figure is 30 minutes. This is an improvement on February and now meets the amended NHS average response target for category 2 calls of 30 minutes for 2024/25.
Before the pandemic, the response target for these calls - which includes suspected heart attacks and strokes - was 18 minutes on average but was increased due to pressure and long delays in ambulance services.
Heart care crisis
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: “I find it profoundly disturbing that record-breaking numbers of heart patients are on the waiting list and that they are waiting longer than ever.
"This bucks the trend of overall waiting lists falling when we know that heart care can't wait. Not getting the right heart test, treatment or surgery at the right time could lead to an avoidable heart attack, incurable heart failure, or even someone dying prematurely.
“Tragically, as we reported in January, the extreme and ongoing pressures on NHS heart care is likely one of several factors contributing to nearly 39,000 premature deaths involving cardiovascular disease in England in 2022.
"It’s shocking to see the sheer number of people waiting over 18 weeks for vital heart care, nearly triple the percentage than before the pandemic. This would have been unthinkable just a few years ago.”
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.