Scotland heart patient wait list is changing to a horror. Scottish people are experiencing weakening health issues or losing their lives before they even get the care they need. Scotland heart patient wait list has reached a historical peak. Data from Public Health Scotland showed more than 24,000 people were waiting for cardiology services as of September 2024.
Cardiology services are under more pressure. Scotland needs strong political leadership to provide focus and investment to improve cardiac services appropriately. Patients with heart diseases do not have time to wait and are in dire need of attention.
Scotland Heart Patient Wait List: Statistics
Figures show that waiting times for heart appointments in Scotland are at their highest level on record. Data from Public Health Scotland showed that more than 24,000 people were waiting for cardiology services as of September 2024.
The number represents a 252% increase since 2019 and an increase of 1,000 in just one year. Of these, more than 14,000 were waiting for longer than the Scottish Government’s target of 12 weeks. Some 1,184 people waited longer than a year, a 56% increase from September 2023. Scotland heart patient wait list is expecting a higher rate for the next years.
Too Soon, Too Late:
The British Heart Foundation (BHF) said too many people are losing time on waiting lists while they have ill health. Around 18,000 people died of heart and circulatory diseases in 2023 in Scotland. It even amounted to 50 a day. That is higher than the number of deaths in 2009. In addition, it reverses the trend of decades of falling cardiovascular disease deaths.
Scotland’s heart patient waitlist is full of patients suffering from serious problems. For instance, Kevin Haggerty asked his local GP to refer him to a cardiologist. More than two years later, he still awaits his outpatient appointment even though Mr. Haggerty has type 1 diabetes, coronary artery disease, angina, and previously suffered three heart attacks. Six weeks ago, after another emergency admission by ambulance to hospital, he had suffered another heart attack.
The Biggest Killer in Scotland: Coronary Heart Disease
Amid Heart Month, the BHF has launched Scotland’s Hearts Need More. It, however, will continue up to the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections. BHF calls for greater focus, investment, and support to help the 730,000 people with heart disease across Scotland.
David McColgan, head of BHF Scotland, said that Coronary heart disease remains Scotland’s single biggest killer. Delaying treatment for heart conditions can make it harder to manage. Moreover, Scotland heart patient wait list increases costs to the NHS and leads to worse patient outcomes. Tragically, many of those people having heart disease may lose their lives before they even get the care they need.
Covid Legacy: Scotland Heart Patient Wait List
Interestingly, the Government considers the Covid pandemic guilty of Scotland heart patient wait list. A Scottish government spokesperson said the Covid pandemic exacerbated wait times. The condition is an abnormal heart rhythm in the upper chambers, creating a “fluttering” sensation. A Scottish government spokesperson said the number of new cases of coronary heart disease had fallen by 12% in the last decade. He, however, acknowledged a gradual increase in deaths in the previous four years. Meanwhile, health boards continued to battle with long waiting lists for treatment due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Angela Kenny, the mother of three, is another example of a patient waiting on the Scotland heart patient wait list. She underwent a procedure that involved delivering a small electric shock to reset the rhythm after a four-week wait. But in September 2023, doctors told her she may need an “ablation,” which could take between nine and 10 months.
Reversed Trend of Death: Higher Deaths from Heart Disease
Figures also showed that less than half of those referred for treatment saw a cardiologist within 12 weeks. About 1,200 people have been waiting more than a year for the test, which can help catch certain heart diseases early. In 2022, more than 18,000 people lost their lives due to heart and circulatory diseases in Scotland. It is the highest number of deaths since 2008.
The BHF said investment in heart disease service improvement was £3 million over the last decade. Meanwhile, Scotland spends an estimated £880m on cardiovascular disease healthcare costs. Jonathan Roden, policy and public affairs manager at BHF, said that heart disease deaths have been on the decline for 60 years. This is in part due to the medical breakthroughs funded by the BHF. But worryingly, that trend has reversed.
Scotland Heart Patient Wait List: Government’s Failure
BHS Scotland accused the Scottish Government of failing to tackle the risk of heart disease, obesity, and high cholesterol. In addition, there are not enough resources to match the increasing demands. Mr. McColgan, head of Head of BHS, said that Scotland’s hearts need more. People need strong political leadership to provide focus and investment to improve cardiac services appropriately. People affected by heart and circulatory disease must receive the support they need to live well with their condition. Heart disease must remain a priority for the Scottish Government. There must be a new plan to ensure the improvement of cardiology services in 2026 and beyond.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said that the Scottish Government remains committed to delivering reductions in waiting times. The budget is almost £200 million to reduce waiting lists and support reducing delayed discharge. By March 2026, no one will be waiting longer than 12 months for a new outpatient or inpatient treatment.
Scottish Government Must Act: Scotland Heart Patient Wait List
There is a human impact behind these figures. Families are facing their loved ones’ deaths, followed by grief and anxiety. The Government must take care of both patients and families. The Scotland Government’s lack of investment puts cardiology services under pressure. There is an increasing pressure on cardiology services. However, more patients are waiting longer than ever. Scotland heart patient wait list is making both patients and society worried. Consequently, the Scottish Government must act as fast as possible and provide the necessary investment in cardiology services to control the increasing trend of deaths.
