Cardiology waiting lists hit record high

Almost 1,200 people have been waiting for more than a year for a echocardiograms, and more than 750 people have been waiting for more than a year to see a cardiologist

The number of people on cardiology waiting lists is at the highest level on record in Scotland, according to analysis by a charity.

The British Heart Foundation (Bhf) claimed under funding of the NHS has led to the waiting lists and called on the Scottish Government to “act now and invest in cardiology services”.

Yesterday, the charity released figures revealing there are fewer than three in 10 people being seen within six weeks for echocardiograms – a key test to diagnose and monitor certain heart diseases.

The charity also said fewer than half of people see a cardiologist within 12 weeks.

Almost 1,200 people have been waiting for more than a year for the test, and more than 750 people have been waiting for more than a year to see a cardiologist.

The charity says that the longer people wait for a diagnosis or treatment, the greater the risk of avoid able ill health and death.

More than 18,000 people died from heart and circulatory diseases in 2022 in Scotland, the highest number of deaths since 2008.

The charity also warned there is an increase in premature deaths and cardiovascular disease in under-75s, with more than 5,350 deaths from these diseases in 2022.

The BHF said investment into heart disease service improvement was £3 million over the last decade, although Scotland spend san estimated £880 mon cardiovascular disease healthcare costs.

Jonathan Roden, policy and public affairs manager at BHF Scotland, said: “For 60 years, deaths from heart disease were on the decline in Scotland, in part thanks to the medical breakthroughs funded by the BHF. But worryingly, that trend has reversed.

“Over the last 10 years, dedicated, world-leading health professionals have worked with the Scottish Government to develop plans to improve heart disease services, but these plans have been repeatedly held back by chronic underinvestment.”

The research was carried out using data from a freedom of information request. It found a trend across the cardiology pathway.

Between March 2019 and September 2023, the number of people waiting for an outpatient appointment rose from 8,562 to 23,027. In the last year, the waiting list has grown by more than 5,000. Freedom of Information data shows that between June 2020 to June 2023 the number of people waiting for an echo cardiogram increased from 11,745 to 19,054.

David Mccolgan, head of BHF Scotland, said: “People are experiencing debilitating health issues or losing their lives, before they even get the care they need.

“A decade of chronic underinvestment and lack of focus by the Scottish Government has left cardiology services unable to meet the pressures they are facing in Scotland.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said :“were main determined to drive down waiting times and are working with boards to reduce long waits which have been exacerbated by the impacts of the global pandemic.”

For 60 years, deaths from heart disease were on the decline in Scotland

Jonathan Roden