Heart care waiting list grows to record high again in England

Latest NHS England figures published today show that the heart care waiting list rose to a record high of 428,067 in August for the ninth month in a row – an increase of over 913 on the previous month. 

The number of people waiting over four months for time-critical cardiac care also rose to 175,322 from 170,518 in July.  

The latest rise means that a joint-record 41 per cent of people on the cardiac care waiting list in England are waiting longer than the maximum target treatment time of 18 weeks. 

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

Today’s figures also show: 

- The number of people waiting over a year for time-critical heart tests and treatments has risen to 10,393 from 10,117 in July. Just 28 people were waiting this long in February 2020.  
- The average ambulance response time for category 2 calls in September 2024 was 36 minutes. This is an increase on August, and does not meet 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.  

Dr Sonya Babu-Narayan, our Associate Medical Director, said: “Long waits for time-critical heart care put people at risk of life-long heart failure or even premature death. Winter is still to come, and yet we keep seeing more people on waiting lists, with latest figures showing 41 per cent of them waiting longer than they should. 

“We cannot and must not become numb to this heart care crisis. Action is needed now to prevent more avoidable loss of life. Patients and their families need to see a comprehensive Heart Disease Action Plan from the UK Government that ensures cardiovascular prevention and care is fit for the future.” 

Our Hearts Need More campaign is calling on the new Government to prioritise cardiovascular disease and put in place a Heart Disease Action Plan. More than 40,000 people have so far signed an online pledge urging the new Government to fix the cardiac crisis. 

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