BHF Pushing for action for Heart Patients, as excess deaths reach 100,000.

[Kristin1812]

Health bosses warn of heart disease emergency in Englandtheguardian.com/society/202...

I scan members posts here, regularly. Trends suggest to me, that members are suffering more and more delays and cancellations, in Cardiac, as well as GP and emergency services. More members mention an increased reluctance to call an Ambulance (due to very long delays), with some advised to find their own way to A and E, even with a suspected Heart Attack.

Also, there’s an increase in posts, where members need a skilled opinion or advice, probably because its not so easy now to see a GP, and because Cardiology appointments are often very delayed. Many members also dislike these contacts by phone.

Pharmacists seem to be filling some of these gaps.

A bleak picture, but its good to see BHF grabbing a headline and lobbying on our behalf. Thanks BHF!

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Thanks for posting this.

Here's the BHF's statement.

bhf.org.uk/what-we-do/news-...

[Kristin1812 Heart Star in reply to Milkfairy]

Thanks for posting this. Many will prefer the original document, not a journalists slant.

[RufusScamp in reply to Milkfairy]

Yes, it's good to read the original.

[Mountwood in reply to Milkfairy]

Thanks for posting this. Now that the BHF has specifically mentioned the link between the virus we have not been allowed to mention in our comments, and cardiac problems, maybe the mods will let us do so too. It is ridiculous to ban it when the link has been known for so long.

[francesw47]

And thanks for this. The information, with various slants, was in all the newspapers yesterday and is quite shocking. The consequence of delay and cancellations is clear.

[bludnut]

It's good to see that BHF are looking after our interests, I just wish those in government would do the same. As for getting to a hospital, we only live 6 miles from our local, but ambulances have in the past taken 55 mins to reach a RTA just below our house.My wife has told me that if I need to get there quickly, she will take me in our car

bludnut.

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

Its not the safety-net we’d got used to, is it?

Recently, the 111 Dr called an ambulance for me, but after we’d waited 4hrs he advised us to get a lift. It was incredibly stressful.

[Lezzers in reply to Kristin1812]

I'm gonna buck the trend here. I've had the misfortune to phone 999 3 times this year. Each time I was told ETA for ambulance was 40mins but the longest time we waited was about 10 mins, shortest time was probably about 5 mins but apparently the ambulance was in the next town when it was notified, I live in a small rural costal village. The only time I've had to wait hrs was when 111 sent the ambulance but that was back at the height of the C situation. So for us the safety net is definitely still in place, I'm not saying there's no failings or problems with the NHS as there definitely is but if it's a real 'emergency' life threatening situation then that safety net is definitely still there. The last time we needed to go to A&E the situation was urgent but not life threatening so we went by car.

[tangotese]

Thank you for this.