NHS disruption driving rise in heart deaths, charity says

NHS disruption driving rise in heart deaths, charity says Extreme disruption to NHS services has been driving a sharp spike in heart disease deaths since the start of the pandemic, a charity has warned.

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) said ambulance delays, inaccessible care and waits for surgery are linked to 30,000 excess cardiac deaths in England.

It has called for a new strategy to reduce "unacceptable" waiting times.

The government has said it is investing another £500m to ease pressure on ambulances and boost hospital capacity. BBC News

See also:

• Tipping Point: why heart care must be prioritised now (report) British Heart Foundation
• Extreme heart care disruption linked to 30,000 excess deaths involving heart disease British Heart Foundation
• Treatment delays 'causing extra 30 people to die from heart disease every day' The Daily Mail
• ‘Needless’ deaths of 30,000 heart patients in England since Covid The Guardian