Message for heart patients

PATIENTS locally with overdue heart clinic follow-ups are being urged to respond to an important message. NHS Scotland are carrying out a review nationally to ensure waiting lists are accurate and that patients who still need specialist follow-up care are identified and seen as quickly as possible. Texts and/or calls and letters are going out to find out if people still want their appointment or no longer need it. Dumfries and Galloway general manager Callum Ambridge said: "This national review is about making sure records are up to date so that available appointments go to the people who need them most. “We recognise that waiting for a follow-up appointment can be worrying and frustrating. “We want to reassure patients that if they still need their heart clinic follow-up, they will remain on the waiting list. This is simply a check-in to confirm who still requires to be seen.” Anyone who does not respond will be followed up to ensure no one is missed. By checking that waiting lists are accurate, the NHS can make best use of available clinic slots and help reduce delays. Mr Ambridge added: “We understand people may be cautious about links in text messages. However, if you receive a message about your overdue heart clinic follow-up, please don’t ignore it."