Cardiology Insourcing: A Vital Solution to NHS Backlogs and RTT Pressures

Across the NHS, waiting times for cardiology services have reached critical levels. From diagnostic delays to postponed treatment pathways, the impact of rising demand and workforce shortages is clear. Trusts are facing mounting pressure to reduce the backlog, restore performance against 18 week Referral to Treatment (RTT) standards, and deliver timely, consultant-led cardiac care.

One of the most effective ways to tackle these challenges is through cardiology insourcing, a model that brings additional clinical capacity into NHS hospitals using trusted external teams. As a leading NHS insourcing provider, Elective Services is helping trusts across the country recover faster and treat more cardiac patients without compromising safety or standards..

The Cardiology Backlog: A National Challenge

In cardiology, early intervention can be life saving. Yet, many patients wait months for ECGs, stress tests, echocardiograms, or to see a cardiologist following a referral. The current backlogs in the NHS are not just numbers. They reflect delays in diagnosing and treating heart failure, arrhythmias, angina, and other critical conditions.

Recent NHS England data shows that thousands of patients are waiting beyond the 18 week RTT target for initial appointments and treatment in cardiology. As the population ages and cardiovascular disease becomes more prevalent, the cardiology backlog is expected to grow further without urgent intervention.

How to Solve NHS Backlogs in Cardiology

NHS trusts have been exploring a range of strategies to address waiting lists. These include weekend clinics, extending operating hours, use of independent sector providers, and community diagnostic centres. While all have a role to play, insourcing offers one of the most flexible and cost effective models for sustained backlog recovery.

So, how to solve NHS backlogs in cardiology effectively? The answer lies in targeted, consultant led services that plug directly into NHS systems, deliver measurable results, and protect the patient experience. That is where cardiology insourcing stands out.

What Is Cardiology Insourcing?

Cardiology insourcing is the delivery of consultant-led cardiac services such as diagnostics, outpatient clinics, and follow up assessments by external teams working inside NHS hospitals. These sessions often run during evenings or weekends, making use of existing NHS equipment and facilities outside standard hours.

Unlike outsourcing, which moves patients to external providers, insourcing keeps care within the trust. It allows teams like those at Elective Services to work seamlessly alongside NHS colleagues, delivering additional capacity without disruption to existing services.

Why Choose Insourcing for Cardiology?

Cardiology patients cannot afford to wait. Delays in assessment or treatment increase the risk of deterioration, hospitalisation, and even mortality. That is why more NHS trusts are asking why choose insourcing, and finding clear answers.

Here is why insourcing works, especially in cardiology:

Rapid Impact on Waiting Lists

By delivering high volume diagnostic and outpatient clinics, insourcing can immediately reduce the number of patients waiting beyond RTT targets. This is particularly important in cardiology, where early diagnosis improves outcomes.

Seamless Integration

Insourced cardiology services are delivered within NHS trusts, using existing governance structures and record systems. This ensures data continuity and minimises the risk of fragmentation.

Consultant Led, High Quality Care

All Elective services are led by experienced consultants. Our cardiac specialists provide thorough assessments, support decision making, and ensure patient pathways progress quickly and safely.

Cost Effective and Scalable

Insourcing avoids the higher tariffs often seen in outsourcing models. Our pricing aligns with NHS frameworks and offers clear value without compromising on quality.

Elective Services: A Trusted NHS Insourcing Provider in Cardiology

As an established NHS insourcing provider, Elective Services delivers tailored cardiology services that reduce backlogs and restore RTT performance. Whether your trust needs support with:

• Outpatient Clinics
• Carotid and Renal Artery Stenting
• CT Angiogra
• Diagnostic coronary angiography
• Electrophysiology Studies (Diagnostic and Ablation)
• Pacemaker implantation (Dual chamber pacemaker, CRT-P, CRT-D)
• Implantation of other Cardiac Devices
• Percutaneous Valve Intervention (TAVI)
• And many other procedures

We provide scalable, safe, and fully governed support, delivered on site, out of hours, and under NHS standards.

Our approach to cardiology insourcing is flexible and results driven. Every programme is designed in collaboration with trust teams to meet local needs, reduce pressure on permanent staff, and support recovery plans.

Why Trusts Are Turning to Insourcing

Faced with rising demand and limited permanent staffing, many trusts are recognising that insourcing offers a strategic advantage. It enables them to:

• Reduce RTT breaches quic
• Deliver weekend clinics without overburdening existing staff
• Improve access to diagnostics and follow up care
• Avoid patient transfers or fragmentation seen in outsourcing

If your trust is exploring how to solve NHS backlogs in a sustainable and patient centred way, insourcing is no longer a secondary option. It is a core part of elective recovery.

Conclusion

The challenge of managing cardiology backlogs is not going away. As NHS waiting lists grow and targets become harder to meet, trusts need practical, high impact solutions. Cardiology insourcing provides the extra capacity, clinical quality, and system integration needed to make real progress.

At Elective Services , we combine specialist expertise, consultant led delivery, and deep knowledge of NHS systems to help trusts overcome backlogs safely and efficiently. We are proud to be a trusted NHS insourcing provider, working in partnership with frontline teams to restore performance and improve patient access.

Get in touch today to learn how Elective Services can support your cardiology department through targeted insourcing solutions that make a measurable difference.