Patients suffered "poor outcomes" because of delays for heart services at Waikato Hospital

A government report obtained by the Herald, says some people became so sick while stuck in backlogs at Waikato DHB, that they had to be rushed to hospital for emergency treatment.

There were also concerns the delays would worsen inequities and poverty, because people caught up in them were unable to work.

The report was given to the Health Ministry by Lakes DHB officials almost a year ago.

It wasn't the first time these concerns were expressed by Lakes DHB officials.

A November 2019 letter from its chairman says the situation had deteriorated to a point of being completely unacceptable.

A Waikato DHB spokesperson asserts no patients have been identified as being harmed as a direct consequence of cardiology delays.