1 year wait for 2,000 with major heart risks

Upwards of 2,000 people at risk of serious heart problems are being forced to wait more than a year for initial consultant checks — including 74 people unable to access care for over four years.

Figures revealed in the HSE’s August performance monitoring report show that despite Health Minister James Reilly’s attempts to cut waits, patients with major health problems are still unable to access care.

According to the figures, available in the supplementary report at www.hse.ie, 14,743 patients with heart problems were told they had to wait to access the first medical assessment stage.