Heart surgery delays costing lives, doctors warn: ‘Te Whatu Ora is a shambles’

Delays in cardiac care across New Zealand are leading to avoidable harm and even deaths, warns Dr. Sarah Fairley, Medical Director of The Heart of Aotearoa New Zealand Kia Manawanui Trust. Speaking on behalf of cardiologists and health professionals, she highlighted critical issues such as prolonged wait times for diagnostics like echocardiograms and angiograms, resulting in patients becoming too unwell for surgery or dying while waiting. Dr. Fairley emphasised the knock-on effects of delayed treatment, particularly in under-resourced regions, and called for urgent investment in staff, infrastructure, and theatre access to address the growing crisis. – you can read the article here – Heart surgery delays costing lives, doctors warn: ‘Te Whatu Ora is a shambles’ | Stuff