Letter to editor
Waiting times for cardiology appointments in Scotland are at record levels and have more than doubled since before the Covid pandemic.
Between September 2016 and June 2023, the number of people waiting for an appointment rose from 10, 496 to 22,720. In the last year alone, the waiting list has grown by 6,000.
The British Heart Foundation is deeply concerned by these figures, not least because deaths from heart and circulatory diseases are also increasing in Scotland.
Last year, 18,073people (around 50 a day) died from heart and circulatory diseases – this is the highest number of deaths since 2008.
At the BHF we know that delays in the diagnosis and treatment of a heart condition can have devastating consequences.
As also understand the human impact behind these figures – the families dealing with grief and loss, worry and anxiety.
That’s why we are asking members of the public who have been impacted by cardiology waiting times to get in touch with us.
If you are willing to share your experience of waiting for a cardiology appointment in Scotland with the BHF please e-mail scotland@bhf.org.uk or call 0131 555 5891 to speak to our team.
David McColgan
Head of British Heart Foundation Scotland