Average ambulance waits for heart attacks and strokes rise to 42 minutes

Average ambulance response times for heart attacks and strokes were 42 minutes in October, latest NHS England data reveals.
This is a rise from an average of 36 minutes for category 2 calls in September and is the worst monthly average for 2024 so far.

It breaches the amended NHS England average response target for category 2 calls of 30 minutes for 2024/25. 

Before the pandemic, the response target for category 2 calls – which includes suspected heart attacks and strokes - was 18 minutes on average. However, the target was increased due to growing pressure on the NHS, rising cardiovascular need, and long delays in ambulance services.  

There was significant variation in ambulance response times across England, though every region breaches the 30-minute target response time. The region with the worst average response time for category 2 calls in October was the East Midlands, which had an average response of 58 minutes.

Today’s figures also show that the heart care waiting list marginally fell at the end of September for the first time since November 2023. However, the proportion of people waiting over 18 weeks for time-sensitive cardiac care remains at a record high.

Dangerous waits

Dr Sonya Babu-Narayan, our Associate Medical Director, said: “Heart attacks and strokes are life-threatening emergencies. With each minute lost, the risk of permanent brain or heart damage, and even death, increases.

"That’s why it is so unacceptable that average ambulance response times are so high, and we’ve not seen the worst of winter yet.

“Dangerous waits for emergency heart attack and stroke care suggest there are severe problems in every part of the system providing vital care for heart patients. Heart care waiting times remain at a near-record high, despite a modest fall this month. 

“Patients and families need to see a Heart Disease Action Plan in addition to the 10 Year Health Plan to help make cardiovascular prevention and care fit for the future.

“If you experience the symptoms of a heart attack, please don’t hesitate in phoning 999. It’s still the best thing to do and it could save your life.”

Latest NHS England figures show that the heart care waiting list stood at 421,324 in September, down from 428,067 in August. 

The number of people waiting over four months for time-critical cardiac care also fell to 172,878 from 175,322 in August. Despite this drop, the proportion waiting over 18 weeks remains at 41 per cent. 

There was also a fall in the number of people waiting over a year for cardiac care, from 10,393 to 9,372 in September.

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

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