Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Waiting times for heart patients at record levels
A DUNDEE health chief today told of his concern after waiting times for heart patients hit record levels.
More cardiology outpatients in the NHS Tayside area are facing lengthy waits than ever — with in excess of a quarter of patients waiting more than 16 weeks to be seen.
In some cases, people have been waiting up to 24 weeks for an appointment.
Between October 2011 and September last year, the percentage of patients waiting more than 16 weeks had never been above 2%.
Last quarter, though, that number had risen to 28.7% — up from 24% between April and June — and 32% are not being seen within the recommended 12-week outpatient referral target set by the Scottish Government.
Councillor Ken Lynn is chairman of the Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership, and a member of the NHS Tayside board.
He said: “Having a heart problem is a serious matter. It’s not like having a bunion, where you can just put someone on a waiting list — it could be potentially life-threatening.”
Back in September, the Tele revealed Dundee man David Brown was “disgusted” to be told he may have to wait seven months to be seen as an outpatient, having suffered two heart attacks in 2009 and a further collapse in August.
David was referred by his GP on August 25, and will be seen next Thursday — a wait of 13 weeks.
Speaking to the Tele today, David’s wife Dorothy said: “The excuse we hear is that there’s an ageing population.
“But this ageing population has paid money into the NHS for the last 50 years. Now they need it and it simply is not there.” Dr Alan Cook, medical director for the operational unit with NHS Tayside, said despite a national shortage two consultant cardiologist vacancies with the board had now been filled. He added: “Patients presenting with emergency cardiology conditions would be admitted immediately according to clinical need. “The current maximum waiting time for urgent cardiology appointments is four to five weeks and the maximum waiting time for routine cardiology referrals is 21 weeks.”