Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of cardiac services in (a) Torbay, (b) Teignbridge and (c) South Hams.

There is a concerted focus in Devon on improving cardiology services, with support from regional and national colleagues, after being identified by the system as an area for action.

Work is under way to reduce cardiology waiting times and strengthen the quality of care for patients across the county, with all units, including Torbay, playing their full part. Clinicians are working closely together, taking advantage of capacity across the system, and sharing good practice. As a result, the number of cardiology patients waiting over a year in Devon has fallen from 930 to 577, representing a drop of 38%, in the past 18 months.

Regional support for the cardiology work in Devon is being provided by the South West Cardiac Network, which brings together specialists from across the region.

National support for the cardiology work in Devon is being provided by NHS England’s Getting It Right First Time programme, with advice from the National Clinical Director for Heart Disease.