Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of long waits for diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases on patient outcomes; and what steps they are taking to address those waits as part of the new modern service framework for cardiovascular disease.

No current assessment has been made of the impact of long waits for diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) on patient outcomes. However, cardiology is one of five priority specialties identified for significant elective reform in the Elective Reform Plan. Reforms include increasing specialist cardiology input earlier in patient care pathways and improving access to cardiac diagnostic tests. These improvements to common cardiology pathways are helping to standardise patient care, reduce inequalities and improve access to care, especially in early stages of pathways, for patients across England.

To accelerate progress on the Government’s CVD ambition, to reduce premature mortality from heart disease and stroke, we will publish a new CVD Modern Service Framework. The framework will be published in 2026 and will support consistent, high quality and equitable care whist fostering innovation across the CVD pathway.