Northland Heart Specialist Waitlist Falls 36% as Access to Care Speeds Up

Hundreds more Northlanders are getting quicker access to life-saving heart assessments, with the number of people waiting for their first specialist cardiology appointment dropping sharply over the past 16 months. Health Minister Simeon Brown says the progress reflects a strong local commitment to improving early detection and treatment of heart disease, one of New Zealand’s most serious health challenges.

Between November 2023 and March 2025, the First Specialist Assessment (FSA) waitlist for cardiology in Northland fell from 1,091 to 691 – a 36% reduction. The number of patients waiting longer than four months for an assessment dropped by 68%, from 367 to just 116.

“Heart disease remains one of New Zealand’s biggest health challenges. Ensuring patients are seen promptly is vital to detecting heart conditions early and providing timely treatment,” Minister Brown said. “It’s encouraging that more Northlanders are now accessing specialist care faster when they need it most.”

Tangible Benefits for Patients

The improvements have had a real impact on local communities. Brown highlighted examples such as a dairy farmer receiving a timely heart assessment before their condition worsens, or rural families no longer facing months of anxious waiting for a loved one’s vital appointment.

“These aren’t just numbers — they represent lives improved and potentially saved,” Brown said.

Reversing Years of Backlogs

The progress follows a challenging period from 2020 to 2023 when Northland’s cardiology waitlists grew by 42%, placing additional strain on patients and healthcare services. Since late 2023, targeted efforts have reversed that trend.

Local health teams have implemented several key measures to bring down wait times:

• Rural outreach clinics: Running regular cardiac assessments and tests at rural hospitals, reducing the need for long patient travel.

• Streamlined appointments: Coordinating assessments to minimise the number of visits required.

• Prioritisation of long-wait patients: Ensuring those who have waited longest are seen first.

• Service expansion: Growing local capabilities, including the catheterisation lab at Whangārei Hospital.

• Recruitment of skilled specialists: Attracting more cardiology expertise to the region.

Government’s Nationwide Target

Reducing wait times for First Specialist Assessments is a central part of the Government’s health targets, with a goal that by 2030, 95% of patients will be seen within four months.

Minister Brown says Northland’s success demonstrates that focused investment and teamwork can make a meaningful difference. “While there’s still more work to do, these results show that we’re making real progress towards faster, more accessible heart care for the people of Northland,” he said.

The Ministry of Health expects other regions to adopt similar approaches, ensuring that specialist care for critical conditions like heart disease becomes more timely and equitable across the country.