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Charity Concern Over “Hidden” Waiting Lists

Monday 16 January 2006

A leading charity has warned that an increasing number of heart patients are being caught in a medical limbo between being diagnosed by their GPs and being seen by a specialist.


A leading charity has warned that an increasing number of heart patients are being caught in a medical limbo between being diagnosed by their GPs and being seen by a specialist.

The NI Chest, Heart and Stroke Association says the speed of treatment has improved once people have seen a consultant. But those who have yet to see a cardiologist are not counted as being on the official waiting list.

The charity’s Chief Executive, Andrew Dougal, said: “Nearly one in 10 cardiac patients are still having to wait more than a year for that important first appointment. This is totally unacceptable.

“Ministers have set a target time of three months between seeing a GP and having a consultation with a specialist, but this target time is being met in only two out of five cases. That is not an impressive percentage.”
The charity has warned successive Health Ministers that urgent action needs to be taken in planning for the future when appointing cardiologists. Many vacancies are filled by a locum, or may in fact remain unfilled because of a lack of suitable applicants.


“This appeal has fallen on deaf ears,” said Mr Dougal. “And while there have been some improvements in waiting times, people in other parts of Europe would be horrified if they had to endure the delays encountered by some of their counterparts in Northern Ireland.”

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